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The First Dragster? $193k
37
PROPERLY ’VETTED
AMERICAN
First Dragster? $193k
37
PROPERLY ’VETTED
AMERICAN
CAR
CAR COLLECTOR
Why This ’71 LS5 is a Deal at $41k
INSIDE: The Hottest Wheels and Gadgets of SEMA 2017
rst Dragster? $193k
37
PROPERLY ’VETTED
AMERICAN
CAR COLLECTOR
Why This ’71 LS5 is a Deal at $41k
INSIDE: The Hottest Wheels and Gadgets of SEMA 2017
CALLED
CALLED ON THE CARPET: $170 and Three Hours
of Your Time Can Enhance Your Car’s Interior
FIERY DEBATE: Will the Pinto Ever Be Collectible?
LY ’VETTED
AMERICAN
CAR COLLECTOR
Why This ’71 LS5 is a Deal at $41k
INSIDE: The Hottest Wheels and Gadgets of SEMA 2017
CALLED ON THE CARPET: $170 and Three Hours
of Your Time Can Enhance Your Car’s Interior
FIERY DEBATE: Will the Pinto Ever Be Collectible?
Keith Martin’s

Torque
Jim Pickering
bought it. It was minty fresh when it rolled
off the enclosed carrier at ACC headquarters
in 2014, bought for $42,500 with just 1,200
miles from new. After a new set of tires, I
took it on several high-speed distance runs
— first 200 miles to Brothers, OR, where
I rattled it over gravel washboard on the
way to an auction of dead Imperials in the
high-desert brush, then 540 miles through
Oregon and California back roads on the
way to Reno for that year’s Hot August
Nights event. It proved to be every bit the
monster that the car world has made it out to
be — but one that behaves until poked. And
I did poke it.
I spent a bunch of time tooling around
town in that car, too. My then 3-year-old
daughter Katie fell in love with its rumbly
V10, and I made it a point to pick her up
from her daycare in it every few months just
to see her smile and to irritate the other dads
in their minivans.
I’d lusted after Vipers since they were
first introduced, and it only got worse once I
started drag racing my ’66 Caprice and had
those wide-set taillights regularly blow past
me at the 60-foot mark. First- and secondgen
Vipers don’t look like anything else,
and they certainly don’t sound like anything
else, either, with a low-pitch growl that
instantly pops out among cackling V8s. As
I’ve written before, they’re the poster cars of
a generation — especially the coupes — and
that will give them staying power in the
collector-car market well into the future.
In with the old
Our Viper has been fantastic, but ACC
has done most of what it was looking to do
with it, so now it’s time for us to move on
to something else to suit a different need —
specifically, something that actually has a few
needs we can address in our “Wrenching”
columns. The Viper never really fit that bill,
as it’s a modern car that has only required
oil changes since we bought it. So as of this
writing, the ACR’s posted on eBay — it likely
12 AmericanCarCollector.com
Out With the New
I
’m about to do something I know I
shouldn’t do. I’m going to ignore my
own advice.
ACC’s Dodge Viper GTS ACR has
been a staple in the garage since we
will have sold by the time you read this.
I know I should be the one to buy it. The
trouble is I just don’t have room for it in my
life at the moment — or maybe I should say
it’s the Viper that doesn’t have the room. Now
that I have two young daughters, buying a
fun car with only two seats just won’t work
— especially when the one that currently sits
in my garage has more than enough room for
everyone to enjoy the tire-smoking fun.
But I can’t escape the thought that I’m
going to regret passing on what is basically
the Shelby Cobra of my generation — and
more specifically, the one I blasted to
Reno at 90 mph in and used to introduce
my car-loving daughter to the concept of a
manual transmission. The fact that I’ve been
calling out Vipers as solid buys for two years
doesn’t help, either. I know better than to let
this one go. Do as I say, not as I do, right?
In the meantime, ACC is on the hunt for
another car — preferably a Ford. I’d love to
find a 1965 or ’66 Mustang that’s in good,
generally original condition but showing
some needs here or there. Ideally it’ll have a
289 and a 4-speed, along with a Pony interior
and original paint. Drop me a line at jim.
pickering@americancarcollector.com if you
know of a good one for sale — or if you’re
Knowing you’ll regret passing on a car makes the call
that much harder
She’ll be missed, but car requirements change over the years
interested in the Viper. I’ll be watching the
auctions in Scottsdale to see if I can find
what I’m looking for there, too.
Transitions
The ACC garage occupants aren’t the
only things changing around here.
It’s hard for me to imagine, but with
this issue, ACC is now six years old. We’ve
covered a lot of cars in those 37 issues of the
magazine, written up by some of the best
writers in the American car world.
Jay Harden isn’t a new voice to ACC —
he’s actually been a part of the team here
at ACC since before our first issue went to
press. Last month, however, he took on a
new role as Editor at Large, filling the space
left by Colin Comer, who has moved to
another full-time responsibility.
Jay’s a hot-rodder, a talented writer, and
an all-around great car guy — this month
I sent him to SEMA to get his take on the
event, which you can read on p. 46, and I
spent a rainy Friday with him tearing the
carpet out of his Chevelle to show you how
easy replacing it with a new kit can be —
and how much of an impact that simple job
makes once the interior is all bolted back
together. Check it out starting on p. 32. A

Page 12

WHAT’SHAPPENING
Let Us Know
About Your Events
Do you know of American-car-related events or happenings that we should publicize? Contact
us at: American Car Collector, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208 or online at comments@
americancarcollector.com.
Hot Cars and SoCal Sun at the Granddaddy of Hot Rod Events
Most of the United States is frozen right
now, but the 69th Annual Grand National
Roadster Show — the granddaddy of all hot
rod shows — will bask in the endless summer
of Southern California. Better yet, more than
500 showcase cars and trucks will rumble
into the Pomona Fairplex from January 26
through January 28. The coveted America’s
Most Beautiful Roadster prize is up for grabs.
Be there or be cold.
Can’t make it to Pomona? The 67th Annual
Sacramento Autorama will bring more than 500
show and custom cars and trucks inside the Cal
Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento from February
16 to 18. www.rodshows.com (CA)
Shake Off the Cold With Auto Mania in Allentown
Sure, it’s cold out there in Pennsylvania, but it’s nice and warm at Auto Mania from January 19 to 21. Pennsylvania’s biggest indoor swap-
meet — at the Allentown Fairgrounds — rolls into the big, heated Agriculture Hall, where you’ll find tons of parts, automobilia and anything to
do with cars. This spot is two hours from New York City, Philadelphia and Scranton, so expect a lot of gearheads. Visit www.carliseevents.
com for more information. (PA)
ACC Arizona Insider’s
Seminar
Heading to Arizona Auction Week
2018? So is ACC! Sign up now for the
annual Arizona Insider’s Seminar
presented by American Car Collector
and Barrett-Jackson. The seminar
is on Wednesday, January 17, from
9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Barrett-Jackson,
WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road,
Scottsdale. We’ll talk about cars to buy,
sell or hold. In addition, an expert panel
— including Carl Bomstead, B. Mitchell Carlson, Jay Harden, Sam Stockham and Editor Jim
Pickering — will dig into the current market and where things are headed in the future. The
seminar is free for SCM and ACC subscribers, Bloomington Gold-Certified Corvette owners
and NCRS members. Admission is $10 for all others. Barrett-Jackson admission is required to
get into WestWorld. www.americancarcollector.com (AZ)
ACC in Arizona
American Car Collector, along with
our sister magazine, Sports Car Market,
will visit all the big Arizona auctions from
January 13 through January 21. You can
find our magazines at almost every auction,
including the Russo and Steele and Silver
auctions. Stop by our booth at the Gooding
& Company auction. Don’t miss our annual
ACC Insider’s Seminar from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
at the Barrett-Jackson Auction site on January
17. Get the scoop on the entire week in the
2018 Insider’s Guide to the Arizona Auctions,
which is packaged with this magazine. Please
drop by and say hello when you see us in the
desert! For more information, visit www.
americancarcollector.com. (AZ)
AutoFest and Sunscreen in Florida
Winter Florida AutoFest in Lakeland brings together a huge swapmeet, a Carlisle Auction and thousands of gearheads. Add in the Florida
sun, and you’re tuning up for spring on February 23–25.
A classic car show and a big car corral are also on tap. Bring money and sunscreen. www.carlisleevents.com (FL)A
14 AmericanCarCollector.com

GOODREADS by Mark Wigginton
The Definitive Firebird & Trans Am Guide:
1967–1969
by Rocky Rotella, CarTech, 192 pages, $33.33, Amazon
When GM woke up to find Ford’s Mustang flying out of dealer-
ships, they quickly answered with their competitor, code-named
Panther. It turned into the
F-body Chevrolet Camaro
and Pontiac Firebird,
which became powerful
on-street performers
and sales leaders for the
General.
James “Rocky”
Rotella grew up in a
Pontiac family, and his
passion is the Firebird.
In this early-year segment
of his two-volume
set, Rotella takes a detailed
look at all facets
of the design and production.
This book is
filled with all manner
of build codes and back
story, from prototypes
to the end of the third
model year.
It’s a solid, complete look at the Firebird, full of great color
photos, historic documents and information for your reading or
restoration pleasure.
Lineage:
(
Fit and finish:
is best)
GTO: Race to Oblivion
by Roger Corea, SelectBooks, 256 pages, $11.52, Amazon
There aren’t many novels, mysteries or thrillers built around
classic cars, but Roger Corea is trying to fill the gap. GTO: Race to
Oblivion is his second thriller, following The Duesenberg Caper.
It seems the prototype
Ferrari GTO was loaded
into the Andrea Doria
headed for America, but
we know how that turned
out. So now, fifty years
later, newly rich and
impulsive Mike Bender
and his level-headed, careful
financial advisor/best
friend Tommy Grimaldi
are on the trail of the
priceless sunken relic,
leading them to a shadowy
underworld of potential
world domination and…
you get the picture.
Fast paced, with
awkward exposition and
“do people really talk like
that?” dialogue, GTO is
just good enough to not
throw across the room —
but not good enough to
recommend.
Lineage:
Fit and finish:
20 AmericanCarCollector.com
Drivability:
Drivability:
Lineage:
Fit and finish:
Streamline Aluminum Trailers: Restoration
and Modification
by Daniel Hall, CarTech, 176 pages, $22.27, Amazon
As the Boomers hit the retirement road, you can see both innova-
tion in the new trailer market (even the pop-outs have pop-outs now)
and a growing interest
in restorations of travel
trailers from the last
golden age. This has led
to rehabs and restorations
of popular models from
the ’50s to ’80s, with the
aluminum trailers from
Airstream and their competitors
drawing plenty of
attention.
But restoration of
an aluminum trailer
has an even longer set
of necessary skills than
your basic old-car redo.
Woodworking, plumbing,
propane systems and
flooring are just a start.
Taking a trailer from
basket case to campground
beauty can be daunting.
Daniel Hall leads
you through from start to finish on a project, right to the final fluffand-buff
of the aluminum exterior. It’s a complete and informative
journey.
Drivability:
AMC Javelin, AMX and Muscle Car Restoration:
1968–1974
by Scott Campbell, CarTech, 176 pages, $29.11, Amazon
The underappreciated Javelins and AMXs of the world have gotten
a bit hotter, and there are enough American Motors fans out there to
get to work fixing
up long-lost and
unloved examples.
But Scott
Campbell wants
you to do a correct
restoration, not a
newer-than-new,
never-was-this-nice
restoration.
Which means he
is here to help you
re-create the look
of the cars as they
came to the dealer
floor, not to the lawn
at your favorite car
show.
He walks you
through all the
steps, with plenty of
detailed photographs,
shortcuts and hardwon
advice.
Lineage:
So put the rotisserie away and do it the factory way.
Fit and finish:
Drivability:

Page 20

PARTSTIME by Jim Pickering
New Products to Modernize Your Street Machine
Corvette Bones
If you’ve got a 1978–87 GM G-body
car — such as a Buick Regal, Chevrolet El
Camino, Chevrolet Malibu, Olds Cutlass
Supreme or Pontiac Grand Prix — and
you’re looking for brake upgrades, CPP has
a new starting point for you. Their newest
Corvette-style stock spindle for G-bodies
uses a Corvette-style hub assembly and
works with factory 1997–2005 C5 Corvette
hub bearing packs, rotors and calipers — a
great upgrade considering Corvette brakes
are as close as your local auto parts store.
Get them for $269 at www.classicperform.com.
Cool F-Series
F-series running hot? U.S. Radiator Corp. has released a new aluminum radiator
for 1948–53 Ford trucks. It features a core with two one-inch rows of aluminum
tubes, which should cool even the baddest big-block. It also is available with a custom
fan shroud and electric fan, and can be had in either polished or unpolished finish. Get
it for $420 at www.usradiator.com.
Super Trans
Is the old T-10 transmission in your muscle car growling or popping out of gear?
Summit Racing’s got you covered with Richmond Gear’s new Super T-10 and T-10 Plus
transmissions. These upgraded versions feature strut-type synchros, and first and reverse
gears are in constant mesh to prevent gear clash. The Super T-10 Plus includes brass race
synchros and a billet front bearing retainer, which make the transmission easier to shift
on the track. Both are rated to 375 ft-lb of torque and have several gear-ratio options.
Prices start at $1,998 at www.summitracing.com.
Seal the Patina
Does your car have original paint with
great patina? Lock it in with POR-15’s new
Matte Clear Coat. It’s specifically designed
to seal in any color or patina with a custom
low-sheen finish. It uses waterborne polyurethane
technology that delivers a fantastic
resistance to weathering, scuffing and burnishing.
It won’t turn yellow over time and is
silica-free. Use it on original paint, directly
over metal or over wood. Learn more at
www.porproducts.com.
22 AmericanCarCollector.com

Page 22

COOLSTUFF
Th
OOLSTUFF
Th
u
u
opener. The tool can also be used as a hex wrench and
with a hex bit driver. You can put any handle on it you
want with its adjustable, patent-pending clamps. The coolest part? It
is made out of titanium and weighs just 8 ounces. It is sure to be the
most useful product in your arsenal. Pick it up at kleckerknives.
com for $595.
A Traffic-Jam Necessity
n the roads, a dash
king like more of a
d idea all the time.
With the PapaGo!
GoSafe 220 dash
cam, you can record
any incidents that
might occur. It
features a wide-angle
s to capture the whole
d and is compact, so
on’t be in your way.
ord eight hours of
o in three recording
es. It will even start
f it feels a bump when
you are parked. Find it on Amazon.com for $99.99.
All-Weather Roadside Helper
Winter is in full swing, which means that cheap plastic ice scraper
you got for free is being used frequently. Chuck it and get the Spare
Me Rescue Tool i
like your old one b
enough to use as a s
traction when stuc
in a fair-weather r
in changing a flat t
end of a breaker b
will give you more l
verage to break lo
those lugs and use
it to help lift that
fresh spare into
place. Find it on
Amazon.com
for $24.95.
DESKTOPCLASSICS by Marshall Buck
1964 Ford Country Squire
Auto World, which offers a vast
array of models and kits in several
scales, has released an intriguing
model in their “true 1:64-scale”
line. This one is the first in their
“muscle wagons” series. So far
there are six color variations. To get
them all, you’ll have to buy a few
of their six-car assortments — and
dioramas — comprising other
Americana. Most are found on
eBay.
Each is solidly made of metal,
including chassis. These mini
family wagons are very accurate and pack in a lot for very little cost. However, some are becoming scarce, so
prices are going up.
24 AmericanCarCollector.com
Detailing
Scale: 1:64
Available colors: Turquoise, red,
black, light gold, light blue, white
Quantity: 1,672 of each color
Price: $15 to $40
Production date: 2017
Web: www.autoworldhobby.com
Ratings
Detailing:
Accuracy:
Overall quality:
Overall value:
is best
½
by Chad Taylor
Keep Your Keys Organized
Remember the giant ring of keys the old school janitor used to
carry around? Do you feel like you carry around that same ring of
keys now? KeySmart has the solution for you. The new rugged
multi-tool and key holder can accommodate up to 14 keys — plenty
of room to keep all the most important keys in one place. It also has
a bottle opener, removable pocket clip, and built-in key ring to attach
it to your car’s key fob. See it in multiple colors and get yours now on
Amazon.com for $35.

Page 24

SNAPSHOTS
Seeing
Clearly
How do you know your replacement glass will fit properly
and look right once installed? Pilkington Classics can help
by Chad Tyson
W
hen it comes to classic-car glass, not every piece is
created equal.
Say you end up with a cracked or chipped original
windshield in your vintage Ford. It happens, especially
when passing through an area that uses gravel to solve
wintry traction problems, even months later. Some chips can be filled,
but some can’t. So how do you fix it?
Well, there are probably NOS pieces out there for your car, but if
you can find one, it’ll be expensive, and you’d better hope the installer
knows what he’s doing and doesn’t break it.
Another option is reproduction glass. But how do you know
the glass will fit right and look right once installed? That’s where
Pilkington Classics comes in.
Pilkington Classics is a part of Pilkington North
America, which is in turn part of the NSG Group, an
international glass-making conglomerate that oversees
the whole process from pounding sand to rigorous
quality-control testing to building relationships with
installers. Their automotive-glass division manufactures
OE pieces (many of which are now structurally integral
to the vehicles) for companies including Toyota, GM,
Ford, Chrysler, BMW and many others.
Within the Classics division, Pilkington manufactures
OE-spec glass for a wide range of classic American cars,
including windshields to back glass, side glass and vent
glass. They also offer OE-spec logo etching and date
26 AmericanCarCollector.com
coding, which makes their pieces blend in on an otherwise original
classic. For those of you taking your cars to shows, this is the ticket in
replacement glass.
While installing side glass is a DIY project you can tackle in your
own home garage, windshields and back glass are not that simple —
and aren’t areas you’ll want to skimp on. We went to Collision Auto
Glass in northwest Portland to have them show you how it’s done —
and why you’ll want help.
Collision Auto Glass general manager Brad Burmester owned a
restoration shop focusing on classic Mustangs for years, so his passion
for older cars runs deep. Scott Duncan (featured doing most of the work
in our photos) has worked installing automotive glass since 2001. He
has seen most everything from sections of pinchweld so
rotted they come out during the glass removal to steak
knives used as removal tools.
Burmester said it best, “Go the extra mile; [we’re]
pilkington also offers
oe-spec logo etching
and date coding to
match the look of
original classics
trying to slow it down, not speed it up. Quality is the
key component, especially on older cars where rust is
more prevalent. We want to make sure it’s done right
the first time.”
Special thanks to Brad Burmester and Scott Duncan
of Collision Auto Glass (www.collisionautoglass,
503-656-3500) in Portland, OR, and Lon Tiniakos,
sales manager of Automotive Replacement Glass, of
Pilkington North America (www.pilkington.com).A

Page 25

1 Inspection
The vehicle came into the shop with the glass already removed, so
that made for easy inspection. All Collision Auto Glass needs to do
is take out a few interior pillar panels and the rear-view mirror, since
they will interfere with the gasket upon installation. With rust repair,
the top corner on the passenger’s side was the worst of it, but nothing
a little elbow grease couldn’t fix. Any rust deemed more than surface
should be taken to a bodyshop for proper pinchweld repair.
2 Thorough Cleaning
Scotch-Brite Roloc discs are the standard for surface rust and
butyl removal. Our subject car already had one windshield replacement,
as evidenced by the butyl residue left behind. Scott goes around
the entire pinchweld frame several times for thorough cleaning. Other
scrubbing tools the shop uses include non-marring sticks and wire
brushes.
3 Experience Counts
So far it’s pretty simple, but this is where timing and knowledge separate the one-and-done installs from the back-in-a-few-months-
because-my-windshield-is-leaking ones. Priming the pinchweld with one-time-use brushes ensures contaminants stay out of the
specialty primer. To reach the flashpoint, we wait 10 minutes between coats. Two coats are the norm at Collision Auto Glass, with the
first to reach into crevices and the second to ensure complete coverage.
January–February 2018 27

Page 26

SNAPSHOTS
4 Installation Time
While the second coat of primer is drying, it’s time to install the
rope into the gasket. The rope helps slip the gasket around the pinchweld
to secure the windshield into place.
5 Group Effort
This is where it becomes readily obvious that a one-person shop
can’t do this job alone. With Pilkington panels being a bit heavier
than most of their competition, even the most seasoned glass installers
work in multiple-man teams.
6 S@#! Happens
Like so many other instances in life, the install didn’t go right in
the first time. The brightwork popped out of its gasket channel when
the guys began placing the glass into the body.
8 Weathersealing
The last step to ensure a weather-tight seal is to seal the gasket to the
body and the glass with urethane. This is perhaps the most time-consuming
step in the whole process, sealing both sides of the exterior of the gasket
and cleaning up the excess sealer. Aerosol glass cleaner speeds up the
curing time for the urethane and helps with cleanup. One last thing to note:
Perhaps some of you reading this wonder why they didn’t just use silicone
spray to ease the gasket installation. I asked Burmester the same thing and
he responded with some basic chemistry. Nothing sticks to the silicone, so
while it would have eased installation, the sealing urethane wouldn’t adhere
to it and therefore wouldn’t seal properly. Water, however, is an acceptable lubricant, but it must be completely dried before the sealer
is applied, and that would have taken overnight. All the more reason to let the experienced professionals do it right the first time. A
28 AmericanCarCollector.com
7 Extra Hands
A third set of hands came in to hold the troublesome trim in place
during install. After a slight bit of shifting to center the windshield,
Duncan slowly pulls out the rope, sealing the gasket around the
pinchweld in place.

Page 28

SNAPSHOTS
Sights of SEMA 2017
Talk about cruisin’ the sparkling blue riviera...
The automotive aftermarket’s annual Las Vegas party
shows off the
industry’s best
Report and photos by Chad Taylor
E
very November, the automotive
aftermarket gathers in Sin City to
show off what they’ve been up to
all year. It’s where the manufacturers
unveil new models, companies
debut new products, and builders demonstrate
their talent through over-the-top
customs — all inside the massive Las Vegas
Convention Center. Here are our favorite
shots from this year’s event. A
30 AmericanCarCollector.com
A whole new meaning to gray-market car

Page 29

The Good Stuff
ACC picks four favorite
new items from SEMA 2017
Loud On Demand
For years, car guys have had to walk that
A new look for an old-school rig
fine line of too loud for the neighbors and too
quiet for our friends. Now we can have the
best of both worlds.
Quick Time Performance offers an
electric exhaust cut-out valve for almost
every application. Simply flip a switch and
an electric motor will open the cut-out valve,
switching your car’s acoustic temperament
from quiet grocery-getter to snarling all-out
race car. They can be run completely open, completely closed, or anywhere in
between to suit your taste. Sizes are available from 2.25-inch to 4-inch.
Special low-profile kits are now available for newer Camaros, Mustangs and
Chargers. See all the options at www.quicktimeperformance.com.
how low can you go?
Tight-Space Frustration
It doesn’t matter if you are
working on a foreign or domestic,
new or old, gas or diesel vehicle —
we all run into nuts and bolts that
are nearly impossible to reach. That
is where the Tite-Reach comes in.
This product acts as an adaptor
Some nips and tucks on a Tucker
between your socket and ratchet.
Snap your socket on one end and place it on the bolt or nut giving you trouble.
Use your ratchet on the other end and you are no longer smacking your knuckles.
This handy tool comes in light- and heavy-duty models that can be used
with an impact wrench. There are ¼-inch, ⅜-inch and ½-inch sizes for every
task. Stop removing more parts than you need to just because of one ill-placed
bolt. Find out more at www.tite-reach.com.
Next-Level Lighting
Finding the right work light to use
while working on your auto is a neverending
task. Sometimes it seems as
though half the battle is just being able to
see. Some lights are not bright enough,
others constantly shift and blind you, and many have a cord that gets in the way.
Advanced Lighting Systems’ new underhood light is the solution. It features
These mods really deliver
ultra-bright LEDs and attaches to both sides of your vehicle’s hood. The bar is
adjustable from 47 inches to 79 inches and the brackets are carefully coated to
not cause any damage to paint. They also allow the light to swivel 360 degrees
to any angle you need. The light puts out up to two thousand lumens and is
powered by a rechargeable battery. Learn more at www.advancedlightingsystems.com.
RPM Recall
Did I shift too early? Was I in the wrong gear
for that corner? In the midst of a race it is difficult
to analyze your accuracy. Sometimes we need
to go back and see where we can improve. The
Playback Tachometer helps with just that.
The pedestal-mounted tach records your engines
A few degrees from stock
rpms during a run and allows the driver to go back
and examine them. It can be played back in real time or slowed down for a more
accurate reading. It can even examine the run down to one-hundredth of a second.
Need another look? No problem, you can pause and rewind the playback. Get all
the info at www.speedhut.com/gauges. — Chad TaylorA
January–February 2017
January–February 2018
31

Page 30

WRENCHINGHOW-TO
FLOOR IT!
Is it worth $170 and a few hours of work? you be the judge
A fresh carpet kit is a fast, easy way to enhance
your car’s appearance
by Jim Pickering and Jay Harden
W
hen it comes to our classic cars — especially at a car
show or when being sold at a collector-car auction
— a first impression can have a huge impact on performance,
from winning an award through bringing
the right price across the auction block.
One of the simplest and most overlooked components in our cars
is also one that suffers some of the most wear through use: interior
carpet.
The carpet is trampled every time you get in or out of the car, and
sun fading is a real issue when you use your car in the summer, as
most of us do. The wear is incremental — you may not even notice
your carpet is looking fuzzy, threadbare and faded, but onlookers
(and bidders) will.
Swapping out interior carpet is an inexpensive proposition, and it’s
32 AmericanCarCollector.com
an easy afternoon task that can really make
your car’s interior look crisp. Now that winter
is here, it’s the perfect time to tackle the job.
ACC Columnist Jay Harden’s Chevelle
is a perfect example of a car in need of fresh
carpet. So we contacted Original Parts
Group and sourced one of their Auto Custom
Carpets “Raylon” carpet kits, which closely
resemble the original 80/20 rayon/nylon
carpet from the 1960s and 1970s but with
more durability and resistance to fuzzing
and pilling. It looks stock but will last much
longer than an OE kit.
Here’s what it took to get the job done.
ORIGINAL
PARTS GROUP
PARTS LIST
P/N ACC26
Raylon-style
Original Molded
Carpet Kit, Red.
$169.99
TIME SPENT:
Three hours
DIFFICULTY: J
(J J J J J is
toughest)

Page 31

1
Jay’s Chevelle still looks pretty good inside, but like
many muscle cars that wear older restorations and get used
regularly, its carpet kit is faded.
opGI has carpet kits for a number of GM vehicles.
They come rolled up in a box, so the first step, other than
verifying that you have the correct color and the correct kit
for your application, is to pull the new carpet out and lay it
flat to work out any shipping wrinkles. There will be plenty.
2
3
next up is removing the currently
fitted carpet kit from the
car, but this requires some disassembly.
We attacked Jay’s af-
termarket seat belts first, which were held in
place with four 13/16-inch bolts.
4
This was originally a benchseat
car. Jay installed aftermarket
buckets in the early 2000s and had
to make special brackets to fix
them to the floor — but stock cars come
apart the same way. Four half-inch bolts
hold each seat to the floor. We removed the
bolts and lifted the seats out of the car.
5
We pulled the aftermarket floor
shifter next, then turned our attention
to the original rear seat,
which is held in place with two clips
welded to the floor.
6
The seat frame is pinched in place in two spots: one
on the driver’s side and one on the passenger’s side. Here
we pulled some of the carpet away to show how the clips
work — note that the spring steel is grabbed and held in
place. To remove the seat, push it toward the back of the car and
down at the same time, then lift up and pull toward the front.
7
Just like that, the rear seat pops out. The side panels
and the seatback stay in place, as they’re not in the way
here.
January–February 2018 33

Page 32

WRENCHINGHOW-TO
9
8
With the seats out, you get a better sense of just how faded this kit has become.
This is also a good time to note where the front and rear carpet sections overlap,
as you’ll want to try to match that with the new kit once it’s installed.
next up we removed the two
step plates on either side of the
car. They’re held in place with four
Phillips screws each. After that, we
pulled the two kick panels under the dash
on either side. With the step plates out of
the way, the kick panels slide back toward
the rear of the car and out.
10
The last things holding the
carpet in place are a few
brackets on the firewall — in
this case, the throttle pedal
bracket and a plastic cover at the base of
the steering column. We removed both and
set them aside.
11
With the step plates removed,
the kick panels out, and
the under-dash components also
out of the way, the old carpet kit
is ready to come out.
12
Both the front and rear sections
of new carpet come
with thick jute padding glued
to the bottom. The rear section
needs to be installed in the proper orientation,
with the padding located in the footwells.
Folding the section in half makes
getting it in the car easier.
13
The carpet is molded to fit the
floor — but it does take some
finesse to get it centered and
placed correctly. The idea is to
get it to sit flat everywhere, without wrinkles
or high spots that stand up from the floor.
No glue is required. We did use a heat gun
to warm up several sections, as the cold
November day was doing us no favors in
getting this kit to lie completely flat in the car.
34 AmericanCarCollector.com
14
We trimmed the carpet
around the two rear seat
clips using a razor blade, then
reinstalled the rear seat to hold
the carpet in place. Note we did not trim the
sides to fit — that comes last.
15
The front section is next,
which first must be test-fit in
place and marked where it
needs to be cut for the shifter
cable to pass through it. This is a crucial
step, as this car has no console, so a cut in
the wrong place would be impossible to
hide. We used a black Sharpie to mark the
location, then cut it with a razor blade.

Page 34

WRENCHINGHOW-TO
16
With the carpet placed where we wanted it, we
went ahead and reinstalled the shifter. To do so, we
used a sharp pick tool to locate the shifter’s mounting
holes in the floor, stabbing through the new carpet. We
then used a razor blade to cut an X over the top of each located
hole. That allows the bolts to pass through without creating huge
holes in the carpet. Note the wrinkles from shipping, which still need
to be worked out before installing the seats.
17
In the past, I’ve made the mistake of cutting carpet
kits too short at the kick panels. This method works
great to avoid that — cutting a slot at the corner allows
the carpet to lie flat, and the excess is hidden behind the
kick panel. Again, we used a sharp razor blade here.
18
After cutting the passenger’s side carpet to match, we reinstalled the kick panels and then set about marking the seat
bolt holes. Again, using a sharp pick tool, we found each hole, then made sure there were no wrinkles, and then stuck small screwdrivers
through the holes to keep everything lined up. Again, using a sharp razor blade, each hole got an X cut over the top of it.
19
Finally, we reinstalled the seats and the seat belts,
doing our best to maintain a tight-to-floor carpet fit in the
process.
36 AmericanCarCollector.com
20
The last step is trimming the sides to fit — I like to
trim the carpet right at the step-plate mounting holes, as
the plate then has enough bite to really pinch it in place.
Four screws on each side finish off the job.
A

Page 36

YOUR TURN
Tell Us What’s On Your Mind
Contact us at: American Car Collector, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208
or online at comments@americancarcollector.com
Remember this ad?
Neon Glow of Nostalgia
You may remember me as the guy with
the one-of-one Studebaker Wagonaire.
This month’s editorial had a comment
about collecting Dodge/Plymouth Neons
(November–December, “Torque,” p. 12).
Well, if you can find a nice one, buy it,
because those cars had a great following
when they were new. FCA should have
called the recently departed Dart the Neon
instead.
The Neon was targeted at young buyers,
many of whom fell in love with the cute little
car. It also had its own set of factory racing
setups and parts. Chrysler also promoted
what was called the Neon Challenge.
Here’s what to look for:
Generation I, 1995–99: All years ACR
versions, 4-door and 2-door.
1998–99 Dodge Neon R/T, any version
with the double-overhead cam and stick
shift, any year Plymouth Expresso.
There are also some 1996 black-and-
yellow Neon Challenge cars that escaped the
factory (I live 40 miles from the plant).
Generation II 2000 and forward: SRT4
38 AmericanCarCollector.com
turbos, unmodified if you can find one.
They’re interesting, fun cars and were
easily modified when new. I owned three. —
Tom Stoka, via email
ACC Editor Jim Pickering responds: I
figured my Neon comment might bring some
feedback, and I’m glad it did. This actually
fits in nicely with this month’s Readers’
Forum as well, which covers our readers’
thoughts on the collectability of the Pinto
and other ’70s subcompacts on p. 40. As
with the Neon, those cars were once everywhere.
Now they’re not. What’s left seems to
be minty originals that can sometimes bring
decent money at auction — and sometimes
not.
Fundamentally speaking, I do think
the Neon is probably positioned better
compared to the Pinto, Vega and AMCs in
the long term for a couple of reasons. First,
like you mentioned, was that racing series
— from what I understand, those bright little
cars were pretty good SCCA racers.
Second, and just as important, was the
impact of Chrysler’s “Hi” ad campaign that
played off the Neon’s happy-face front-end
design. From magazines to TV spots during
football games, you couldn’t escape it — and
as an image, that happy face is burned into
my brain deeper than the image of the rusty
beater $500 Neons we all saw everywhere
in the mid-2000s. I don’t think I’m alone on
that one, either.
Third, they were actually pretty good
little cars. Yes, my family had one too — a
white 1995 Highline sedan purchased to save
the front-yard shrubbery (and everything
else) from getting flattened by my sister at
the helm of our family Suburban. I drove it
quite a bit in the years we had it, and other
than some transmission issues typical of
Chrysler in the 1990s, it was a reliable,
decent-handling little driver.
I think you’re right in your picks of the
Neons to buy. That said, I’m not sure nostalgia
for the car is powerful enough for most
buyers to spend any money to replicate the
experience just yet. But I won’t be surprised
to see movement in the market here in the
future. The pieces are all there. A

Page 38

READERS’ FORUM
Crowdsourcing Answers
to Your Car Questions
Contact us at: American Car Collector, P.O. Box 4797, Portland, OR 97208
or online at comments@americancarcollector.com
Will the Pinto
Ever Be
Collectible?
Readers respond:
If you don’t remember that they blow up. — Anonymous, via
email
n n n
Is the Edsel? While there may always be a niche for passionate
Pinto collectors, I believe a car had to be desirable during its run to
be desirable a generation (or two) later; not sure the Pinto fits that
category. — Jim Hill, via email
n n n
I am glad to see that the lowly Pinto is finally being recognized
in the collector car community. I was an engineer at Ford and on the
Pinto for most of its life. I had three of them during the production
run: a ’72 Runabout, a ’76 station wagon and a ’78 Runabout. While
not the fastest cars in town, I considered them to be dependable.
Living in Michigan, I had plenty of rust to contend with. Now
that I have returned to my homeland in Oklahoma, I know of at least
one example still running around on the road. I would like to add
one to my “stable of cars,” if I had room for it. I think it was a muchmaligned
car that may be a real sleeper as far as collectibility. I would
like to have seen the “Pinto Stampede” that they had last year at the
Ford Employee car show. There would have been many of my brothers
there. — Dan R. Davis, via email
n n n
The Pinto was a good car in its day. I owned several of them and
used them as commuter cars — and I have to say I got very good
service out of those little Fords.
The collectibility of the Pinto rates the same in my opinion as
other small cars of that time period. Pintos, Gremlins and Chevettes
This month’s Readers’ Forum question:
Ford’s compact Pinto, launched in 1971 as a response to
the growing number of subcompact imports being sold in this
country, isn’t exactly fondly remembered.
ACC has followed the trend in 1980s cars for the better
part of two years now — prices on cars from that era are
up as collectors start to buy both the halo cars they always
wanted, such as the GNX or 5.0 Mustang, and the pedestrian
drivers that used to be everywhere but are now thinner on
the ground — think early Honda Civics and Accords.
Where does that leave the Pinto and its 1970s American
subcompact counterparts like the Vega and Gremlin? Do you
think they are collectible now? Is there a cool factor there?
Is there movement left in the collector market for the Pinto,
or will they forever be a flammable footnote in American car
culture?
will never have the same show-stopping value as muscle cars and
other collectibles — but they were part of the automotive landscape
of the 1970s, and seeing a nicely preserved example always makes me
stop and take a second look. — Dave Hollen, Glasgow, PA
n n n
email
No. Not until five-gallon gas cans are. — Mike McCormish, via
n n n
Not sure if it will ever be “collectible,” but I’ve been a car guy
since I could crawl, and I wouldn’t mind driving an excellent example
of a Pinto, Vega, Chevette or Gremlin around. I do own a couple of
somewhat expensive cars, but I really think the fun factor would be
higher in one of the abovementioned cars. — Michael Horrigan, via
email
n n n
No. Many cheap cars made in big numbers have become collect-
ible... Ford T, Ford A, VW Beetle, Citroën 2CV... but all of them were
good cars. The Pinto was a piece of automotive trash, in which there
was zero innovation and nothing that would allow it to remain in production
a long time. No engineering, modest style, bad performance,
nothing whatsoever to separate it from other trash vehicles except a
propensity to burst into flames if struck in the rear.
Does anyone want to collect Chevrolet Chevettes and the Opel,
Pontiac, Vauxhall, and (disgracefully) Cadillac variants of the very
poor (but better than Pinto) GM cheap car? — Robert Cumberford,
SCM Contributor and automotive designer, via email
n n n
My folks bought a brand-new 1977 Chevette, and I learned how
to drive in that car! If I see one, it brings back memories, just like
someone else might have with a Pinto, Gremlin or Vega. These cars
were like Dixie Cups — used, then thrown away. We hardly see them
anymore, and that adds charm to their memory.
However, I don’t believe these vehicles will ever rival a Shelby
Mustang or Corvette for investment or collectibility. They are for fun.
Isn’t that part of the reason we all enjoy old cars anyway? — John
Kriegshauser, Omaha, NE
n n n
Well, this ’79 Ford pinto hatchback sold in June for $15,400,
so what does that tell you?
40 AmericanCarCollector.com
Yes, I do think that the Pinto will be collectible. It was a decent
little car that was not terrible-looking, and was quite reliable and af

Page 39

n n n
This article is a perfect lightning rod for my friends and me. Made
us laugh. Here’s the scenario...
I started collecting cars about 20 years ago. The first car was a
one-owner, 20,000-mile 1973 Levi’s Gremlin (258-ci 6-cylinder).
The car was in great shape, and the interior was in great shape. I’d
(inexplicably) loved Gremlins since they arrived in 1970, and I wasn’t
disappointed with the buy.
About seven years ago, I stumbled onto the perfect mix of car and
kitsch: a 1976 Mercury Bobcat Squire runabout (V6) — the perfect
blend of disposable car and woodgrain contact paper. The scotch
plaid upholstery screams bellbottoms and KC and the Sunshine Band.
My 20-car collection is all over the map. 2013 McLaren 12C
This ’77 pinto sold for $4,620 in 2013
fordable. Some of the compacts of the era were worse and may never
be collected — Lada, for one. — Brian Curtis, via email
n n n
Of course the Pinto will be collectible, and here’s why: Everyone
remembers them and everyone had one! Yes, they were a horrible
throwaway car back in the ’70s, and that’s another reason why they
will be collectible — few kept them.
My family had two of them, and the car I brought to college was a
white 1980 Pinto. It brings back memories — not all good, of course,
because they were so basic and boring — but it does bring back
memories. This past summer I saw one at a car show and it was a
huge hit! — Greg Mosho, Farmingdale, NJ
n n n
I sure hope so, as I have put a few of them on ice — especially the
Squire wagons! — Peter Bronken, via email
Spider, 2014 Porsche 911 50th Anniversary edition, and 2006 Aston
Martin V8 Vantage to a 1981 DeLorean, 1959 El Camino, a 1963
Corvette Split-Window and a 1962 flat-floor Jag E-type OTS. The
largest percentage of the collection is Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars,
including three track cars and two actual Pace Cars.
But the beauty and attraction of the Gremlin and Bobcat is that
they were designed to be used up, then thrown away. They weren’t
supposed to survive like my other cars.
While hundreds of thousands were made, there are probably fewer
condition 1 and 2 Gremlins than there are NCRS Top Flight-winning
1967 Corvettes.
And while the Pintos/Bobcats, Vegas, and Gremlins will never be
in as much demand as big-block Corvettes, Boss Mustangs or E-body
Mopars, the low rate of survivability of the econoboxes makes them
charming survivors.
Pickup trucks became hip. Station wagons are getting there.
Econos soon to follow. (Next? Condition 1 and 2 early Mopar minivans.)
— Tom Beeler, Indianapolis, INA
January–February 2018 41

Page 42

Cheap Thrills
The
B. Mitchell Carlson
UPMARKET
MAVERICK
The final pass of the Mercury Comet was about as dim
as t
1977 Mercury Comet coupe
for a n
de
int
me
sen
That Falcon-based Comet compact was built from 1960 through
I
1965. In 1966, the name moved to the Fairlane mid-sized platform,
where it stayed until 1969.
With the success of the Ford Maverick, which was introduced
for the 1970 model year (exactly five years after the Falcon-based
Mustang), Mercury wanted a piece of that action. So the Comet
name made another pass for 1971. In essence, it was little more than
a badge-engineered Maverick, with Comet-unique grille, hood and
taillight panel.
Some go, some show
All Comets came s
six, and were availabl
or 302-ci V8, availabl
4-door sedans — both t
4-door being new to t
1971 Maverick. Simil
to the Grabber from t
Maverick side of the
aisle, a 2-door-only
Comet GT was
offered as a quasiperformance
car. Wit
no changes to the eng
availability, the GT w
44 AmericanCarCollector.com
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
Cheap Thr
s
The
B. Mitchell Carlson
UPMARKET
MAVERICK
The final pass of the Mercury Comet was about as dim
as t
1977 Mercury Comet coupe
for a n
de
int
me
sen
That Falcon-based Co
p Thrills
The
B. Mitchell Carlson
UPMARKET
MAVERICK
The final pass of the Mercury Comet was about as dim
as t
1977 Mercury Comet coupe
for a n
de
int
me
sen
That Falcon-based Comet compact was built from 1960 through
I
1965. In 1966, the name moved to the Fairlane mid-sized platform,
where it stayed until 1969.
With the success of the Ford Maverick, which was introduced
for the 1970 model year (exactly five years after the Falcon-based
Mustang), Mercury wanted a piece of that action. So the Comet
name made another pass for 1971. In essence, it was little more than
a badge-engineered Maverick, with Comet-unique grille, hood and
taillight panel.
Some go, some show
All Comets came s
six, and were availabl
or 302-ci V8, availabl
4-door sedans — both t
4-door being new to t
1971 Maverick. Simil
to the Grabber from t
Maverick side of the
aisle, a 2-door-only
Comet GT was
offered as a quasi-
performance car. Wit
no changes to the eng
availability, the GT w
44 AmericanCarCollector.com
more
more show than go — with dummy hood scoop, matte black accent
paint, blackout grille and high-back bucket seats.
Year-to-year changes were minimal — essentially housekeeping
to keep up with new safety and emissions standards, such as everincreasing
bumper sizes starting in 1973. The anemic 170 gave way
to the adequate 200-ci straight six from the Mustang as the standard
engine from 1973 onward, along with offering the truck-based 250-ci
straight six as the first-tier optional engine, with the tried-and-true
302 still in the options list.
Initially, the Comet met with some modest success, not so much as
an “import fighter,” but as a lower-price-point
ll on the other side of Lincolncury
dealers’ showrooms from
ontinental Mark IIIs and IVs.
This became a godsend for the
division during the OPEC oil
embargo of 1973–74, as the
Comet gave L-M dealers the
traffic and sales they needed to
eep the division alive.
ur is more
ally, the coupes were the hot
1975 Mercury Comet GT
o to one — but in 1975, 4-doors
st time. That gap widened until

Page 43

As such, underpinnings such as springs, axles and brakes were from
the bottom of the pricing bin. If you have any desires to build one up
— even if it’s a factory 302 car — beef up the undercarriage first.
Prices are all but equal to Mavericks — if not slightly cheaper.
A low-mile GT with a 302 might get close to $10k, but to go higher
than that, it would have to be a minty unrestored virgin with more
documented history than miles.
While 1970s geek cars have seen an uptick in interest and values
Vintage ad for a 1975 Mercury Comet 4-door sedan
the end of production.
The Comet was originally going to be retired in 1975, replaced
by the Mercury Monarch (yet another FoMoCo with Falcon bones).
However, the OPEC oil embargo was considered a sign by the
Lincoln-Mercury division that they needed to maintain a diverse
lineup of smaller cars, so the Comet got a stay of execution.
With lagging sales (a meager 21,545 in its final year — including
just 9,109 2-doors), 1977 was the last call for the Comet.
Tailing the Comets
Despite the GT package, no Comet ever left one of the factories in
the U.S. or Canada with a 4-speed manual transmission or anything
more potent than a 2-barrel 302 V8 with single exhaust. If you find
one with either of those, it’s been swapped out.
The aftermarket is rife with performance components that’ll fit a
Comet. However, bear in mind that unlike the Mustang, which ranged
from mild to wild when new, the Comet was originally lame to tame.
in recent years, Mavericks and Comets still lag behind even Mustang
IIs. Since they’ve been dirt-cheap since the first one financed was
paid off, and with all that Falcon/Mustang DNA, these cars have
been prime candidates for low-budget engine swaps and performance
mods. Since “done on the cheap”
is a common theme here, “buy on
the cheap” should be your mantra.
Still, for those of us who were
Detailing
of that age in the 1970s and early
‘80s when these were at giveaway
prices, there is a sense of cheap
nostalgia here. Yet with nearly
half a million Comets built all told
— let alone millions of Mavericks
— don’t get sucked into the “they
all got scrapped and this is the
only survivor” mindset.
Plenty of grandmas and
grandpas bought these as their last
cars. Those are Comets to look for.
Just remember, if you catch one,
you’d better be prepared for folks
continually asking you, “What
kind of Maverick is that?” A
Years produced: 1971–77
Number produced: 487,202
Original list price: $2,461
Current ACC Valuation:
$4,000–$7,600
Clubs: Maverick/Comet Club
International
Tune-up/major service: $250
VIN location: Base of the windshield,
on driver’s side and
body tag in door jamb
Web: maverickcometclub.org,
www.cometcentral.com
Alternatives: 1970–77 Ford
Maverick, 1974–78 Ford
Mustang II, 1970–76 Dodge
Dart/Plymouth Duster
ACC Investment Grade: CJanuary–February
2018 45

Page 44

Horsepower
Jay Harden
BACK
FUTURE
to the
SEMA is where the ridiculous and absurd meet, but it is also
where groundbreaking ideas that drive the market emerge
SEMA great. Buyers and builders and
designers and writers are given the
rare opportunity to size manufacturers
up against one another and compare
quality, componentry, ingenuity and
style. We all win as a result.
Some of the most interesting and
relevant products I saw on hand were
retrofit plug-and-play packages designed
specifically for easing the pain
of sliding a modern drivetrain under
the hood of old iron. The concept isn’t
new, of course, but the packaging
and completeness of the units have
improved tremendously over the years.
The OEMs have fully recognized
articulate on paper, and the level of organization is simply astounding.
Though impressed by the sheer scale of the event, I was also
struck by several distinct impressions that I think affect us directly as
American car collectors.
I’ve learned over the years that the SEMA show acts somewhat
I
as a breeding ground where the ridiculous and absurd meet for
their annual fling, but it is also where the groundbreaking ideas and
breathtaking new trends emerge that drive many automotive markets
forward for years to follow.
Here’s what I saw:
The good
The first hall I hit on Day 1 housed the New Products Showcase.
The simple fact that everyone who’s anyone in the world of automotive-product
manufacturing comes together to display their latest
and greatest under one roof is the driving force that really makes
46 AmericanCarCollector.com
We’ve said it for years but now it’s official: Fox-body Mustangs are a hot ticket
’m not sure exactly what I was expecting out of my first trip to
the SEMA show in Las Vegas, but the event somehow ended up
being both everything and nothing I thought it would be.
Let me put it this way — I can say with some confidence that
whatever it is you’ve heard about SEMA, it’s true. All of it.
The event is carried out on a scale that is virtually impossible to
the demand for easy-to-install packages
that eliminate the need for an
electrical engineering degree, and
business is booming. Dropping an
LT4, Coyote or Hellcat into your Pacer
may never be easier. Just don’t expect
it to be cheap.
Piggybacking on the high-techmeets-low-tech
of the plug-and-play
packages were the data acquisition systems. Although most of us
prefer to tune blindly by ear and smell and overinflated sense of ability,
the argument against adding some sort of data-acquisition tool to
your ride is growing increasingly difficult to defend.
Imagine popping a couple of holes in your exhaust, threading in a
couple of O2 sensors and getting live, recordable and repeatable data
from affordable units that you can use to dial your tune in wherever
you are and however you drive. And that is really just scratching the
surface. Digital data loggers that provide accurate engine vitals and
recordable track data and real-world diagnostic tools in simple, clean
and affordable packages are officially here. No need to wait for the
flux-capacitor to hit the market. Keep the carb. Tune like you actually
know what you’re doing. Amazing stuff.
The better
If you are still holding on to the idea that street rods, muscle cars
and Day 1 originals are the only American collectibles, you’ll find
that the folks who show up to SEMA are working hard to change your
mind. There’s no place quite like SEMA for unique body styles to get
the full-boogie treatment.
Vendors and builders are looking for any opportunity to stand out
from the crowd, and ’32 Fords and ’69 Camaros just don’t garner the

Page 45

bang for the buck they did a few short years ago. As a result, SEMA
offers one of the year’s best venues for taking a risk on underutilized
machines.
For example, do you think mid-’60s GM pickups are ugly? Well,
you might want to skip down a paragraph or two. They were everywhere.
And they looked amazing and absolutely at home under the
lights. If you have a shortbed tucked away in the barn, your time is
now.
Speaking of trucks, if I never see another lifted F-150 on ginor-
mous wheels, it’ll be too soon.
Positive spin? If SEMA is any indication, and it is, trucks are
every bit a part of the modern American Car Collector scene as
Mustangs, Camaros or Challengers. That means the rising tide we’ve
watched lift ’70s and ’80s trucks and SUVs is surging against the
levee, and the breach is coming. Are you ready?
Editor Pickering has been predicting the coming of the Fox-body
Mustangs for a couple of years now, and the inevitable is officially here.
Goolsby Customs brought a ’79 equipped with a Coyote Aluminator
under the hood and a retro paint job on the surface that was absolutely
stopping people in their tracks. Now that consumers have a nextgeneration
5.0 and OEM-supported plug-and-play options, don’t be
surprised if we see a huge resurgence in Fox-body values. Be prepared
for other ’70s and ’80s performance platforms to follow suit.
The best
I’m a hot rod/street rod/muscle car, burn-’em-up, slide-it-sideways
kind of guy, and SEMA brings out the best of the best from the world
I love. Thankfully, the SEMA organization continues to find a bigger
carrot to hang from the stick each year, which in turn encourages
more vendors to write those blank checks for the top builders. There
are some truly exceptional craftsmen bringing truly exceptional cars
and trucks to SEMA, and, once again, we all benefit as a result.
They don’t make them like this anymore. Well, actually, they
never made them like this
We don’t need to be exceptional if those that are can share their
ideas and their successes. Builders at the top of the heap can almost
single-handedly change the marketability, and thus desirability, of a
body style in one fantastic effort.
As I’ve said before, you don’t necessarily need to own the best
example of something so long as someone out there is dreaming
about it. SEMA’s influence here cannot be understated.
The Las Vegas event is more than a little overwhelming, to be
sure, but SEMA keeps the spotlight on making sure our hobby is
relevant, innovative and unified. I can’t wait to go back. A
January–February 2018 47

Page 46

On the Market
John L. Stein
RAVES,
FAVES andSAVES
John L. Stein
Lucky Find: The author with the 1967 pontiac GTo convertible he picked up for $800 in 1981
I goaded my workmate into taking a fast left-hander flat-out ...
We snapped onto the grass track perimeter at nearly 80 mph
B
ack in the mid-1970s, there was a paperback called Real Steel by Bill
Neville, which offered guidance on the best American cars to buy. It
focused on profit potential, and offered various charts showing how much
cars might be worth in a few years.
My buddy and I “co-owned” the book at the time, and I don’t know
where it is now. However, I recall that by the end of the 1970s, 1957 Corvette Fuelies
and 1955–57 Thunderbirds were projected to be worth $5,000 — a huge sum for
college kids when you could buy a respectable used car for $150 to $350 or so.
Always busy with other things, we never got that T-bird or ’Vette. But we did
cross paths with many other American cars while horse-trading our way through
school. And my relationship continued with U.S. steel later, after moving to Ann
Arbor, MI, for the startup of Automobile magazine in 1986, and later after becoming
editor of Chevrolet’s publication Corvette Quarterly in 1997.
Here are some highs and lows from 40 years of engagement with “real steel” as
an owner, driver, racer, mechanic and editor:
High Priests: Riverside International Raceway, October 1962. Prior to attending
this event with my dad, the only thing I knew about racing was that the local TV
channel showed Figure 8 racing from Ascot Park — in essence a bash-’em-up jalopy
race. But at Riverside were Cobras and space-age-looking Corvette Sting Rays
that forever imprinted me with the speed and savagery and noise of racing. It was
controlled violence, and those American sports cars were in there fighting with the
world’s best. Then and forever, I became a fan of the 260/289 Cobras, Split-Window
Sting Rays, and the men who raced them.
Wicked: My aunt’s black 1964 Sting Ray. Tuxedo Black on black, and equipped
48 AmericanCarCollector.com
with a “ladies’” automatic transmission, to me it
looked just wicked, and she was one wicked aunt for
driving it. I remember sitting eye-to-eye with the
white cue-ball door handles, recall the rotating doorlock
knobs, the red door lights and the passenger’s
grab handle — and the 160-mph speedometer. She hit
60 mph once in a school zone (on a weekend), which
cast her in my mind as a legend. Unfortunately, she
disliked the car and ditched it for $1,500 before I got
my driver’s license.
First Love: Found in an alley for $25, a Heritage
Burgundy 1963 Thunderbird Landau with a white
interior was a pure ladies’ car. I didn’t care. It had a
good battery and it limped home under its own power.
A day spent with chrome cleaner, rubbing compound
and Turtle Wax made it look amazing, and despite its
proclivity for running on seven cylinders, I felt like a
real grownup in that Bullet Bird. It was a great, and
cheap, first foray into classic-car ownership.
Low Blow: In lieu of working college summers,
my car friends would cruise side streets and alleys
looking for telltale signs of abandonment on interesting
vehicles. One such recon discovered a gold 1971
El Camino SS with a white vinyl roof and an interior

Page 47

I can’t recall much about it except for the bench seat, automatic trans on the tree,
and that it smelled like an old car. It ran like an old car too, and I discovered later
why. Pulling the big-block’s valve covers and watching some rockers barely move
indicated a flat cam.
Lucky Find: Stuck at Lake Tahoe without a ride in summer 1981, I looked in
the classifieds for a used car. Among the Volkswagens and Vista Cruisers was a
Silverglaze 1967 GTO convertible. It was stuck in a meadow behind the seller’s
home, victim of a blown clutch courtesy of his teenage kid. It also had a Muncie
4-speed, a tattered convertible top, and a price tag of $800. Sold. I had the clutch
replaced at a local shop, powered the tattered top down, and drove it 500 miles
home. That Goat became a fantastic surf car for a year, until I sold it to a Canadian
pal for $1,300 — exactly what I had in it. All it had needed was the clutch, a top,
mufflers and a gearbox shaft.
Lesson Learned: Automobile magazine received a 1986 Corvette convertible —
the first ’Vette droptop since 1975, for a yearlong “Four Seasons” test. To no one’s
surprise, the Corvette was nearly undriveable in the snow. In fact, I remember thinking
that with its wide tires, the C4 had so little grip that you could probably shove it
sideways across an icy parking lot with one hand. But then the bright yellow ’Vette
got a set of proper Goodyear winter tires installed. After that, it became nearly unstoppable
— so good that you could almost push a snowplow with it. Then and there,
I realized that all the work really does occur at the tire footprint.
Respect: For Corvette Quarterly, longtime So-Cal racer Fred Yeakel kindly let
me race his 1957 Corvette Fuelie at Thunderhill and at the Monterey Historics. And
separately, Steve Earle entrusted me with the ex-Bob Bondurant 1959 Corvette “614
car” at Willow Springs. Different cars, different years, different tires and different
tracks. But they were both unified in their handling idiosyncrasies: Struggling to get
power to the ground; RPO 684 “big brakes” that would randomly pull one way or
another; and handling that would snap from plowing understeer to pirouetting oversteer
in milliseconds. To drive these cars at competitive race speeds, on the bias-ply
tires of the day, took strength, bravery and talent.
LMAO: With the 1987 Mustang GT, Ford was back in the performance game.
John L. Stein
First Love: 1963 Ford Thunderbird Landau
The car’s “cheese-grate” taillights seemed garish at
the time, but today they define the car as the late-’80s
hot rod it was. The Mustang GT’s 225 hp put it in the
same camp as a Corvette. And its handling-oriented
suspension, dual exhausts, a 5-speed, and bolstered
buckets made it tons of fun. So was one particular
moment at the press launch at Ford’s Dearborn proving
grounds, where riding shotgun with my workmate,
I goaded him into taking a fast left-hander flat-out.
An experienced A Production Corvette racer, he was
up to the challenge, but the rear tires on the Mustang
weren’t. We snapped 180 degrees onto the grass track
perimeter at nearly 80 mph. The memory of sailing
backwards at speed, inside a massive cloud of grass
clippings, and my compadre swearing while wildly
sawing at the wheel, remains one of my favorite car
moments. Boy, was he flustered, and boy, was I laughing.
Which is why, even 30 years later, I’m ending this
column with a big, fat grin. A
January–February 2018 49

Page 48

PROFILE CORVETTE
1971 CHEVROLET CORVETTE 454/365 COUPE
Right on the Money
Jeremy Cliff, courtesy of Mecum Auctions
Down the
road, this
LS5 should
be a safe
investment
because
it’s a nicely
preserved
big-block, but
it will likely
never break
out because
it’s a low-spec
big-block
VIN: 194371S117521
by John L. Stein
• 71,000 original miles
• Original matching-numbers 454-ci, 365-hp LS5
engine
• 4-speed manual transmission
• One of 1,455 equipped with the factory alarm
system
• Four Season air conditioning (not operational)
• Power steering and brakes
• Original AM/FM radio
• Original luggage rack
• T-tops with original covers
• Pop-out rear window
• Original order copy
• Original owner’s manual in plastic sleeve with
brochure
• Engine rebuilt and clutch replaced at 60,000 miles
• Modified with fiberglass rear springs, gas shocks,
polyurethane bushings and BFGoodrich Radial
T/A tires
• Documentation and receipts dating back to the
1970s
• One owner for past 21 years
ACC Analysis This Corvette, Lot S36, sold for
$40,700, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at the Mecum auction in Chicago, IL, on
October 7, 2017.
With a Skunk Works beginning as the Chevy
“Mystery Motor” used in Junior Johnson’s Impala at
Daytona in 1963, the “big block” occupies hallowed
ground for Chevy performance devotees, and its reputation
remains unabated among collectors today. The
50 AmericanCarCollector.com
50 AmericanCarCollector.com
axioms used to describe a big block — and Chevrolets
in particular — are as bold as the idea of a seven-liter
V8: “There’s no replacement for displacement,” and
my personal favorites, Porcupine Motor and Rat
Motor.
Although the original Chevy big-block NASCAR
motor displaced 427 cubic inches, R&D developed it
into a 396-ci version for the 1965 Corvette. Here, the
big block lasted through two Corvette generations and
all the way through 1974, after which emissions regulations
brought about its demise. Corvette big-block
displacements were 396 ci in 1965 (2,157 built), 427 ci
from 1966 to ’69 (48,149 built), and 454 ci from 1970 to
the endpoint in 1974 (21,577 built). The most popular
year for the big-block Corvette was 1969, when a total
of 15,441 427s were sold.
The real deal
The big block wasn’t smoke and mirrors, as were
so many of Detroit’s marketing ploys at the time. In
various guises, it raced to numerous wins on the world
stage, including Can-Am, particularly with the 7-liter
Chevy-powered, papaya-hued McLarens of Bruce
McLaren and Denny Hulme, and in many other U.S.
drag-racing and oval-track events.
Of course, there are big blocks and then there are
big blocks, just as there are ’Cudas and Hemi ’Cudas,
Camaros and COPO Camaros, and Mustangs and
Boss 429 Mustangs. Big-block power output is directly
tied to desirability, with the 1967–69 L88s at the top of
the pyramid; the range of median values for these cars
is estimated at $500,000 to nearly $4 million.

Page 49

CoLLeCTor’S reSourCe: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring more
than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com!
Detailing
Year produced: 1971
Number produced: 14,680
(all 1971 Corvette coupes)
Original list price: $5,496
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $30,500
Engine # location: On block
in front of right cylinder
head
Club: National Corvette
Restorers Society
“Everyday” big block
The subject of value brings us to the 454-ci, 365-hp
LS5 featured here. It was the entry-level big block of
the 1971 model year, and arriving right in the middle
of the big block’s reign, it was a great product and
marketing move for Chevrolet.
Its rated output was right in between the base
small-block 350-ci engine (270 hp) and 454-ci LS6
(425 hp). So was the price, with the LS5 adding just
$295 (5%) to the base price of the Corvette coupe,
compared to $483 (9%) for the 350-ci LT-1 and $1,221
(22%) for the LS6.
Key point here, during the “Big-Block era,” the
365-horse LS5 was just right for the everyday guy who
wanted an extra dose of performance — and the street
credibility that went with it.
And now back to our subject car, the War Bonnet
Yellow 1971 coupe, one of 5,097 C3s made for ’71 with
the 365-hp 454. As noted above, this car was mid-level
on the Corvette performance scale. The entry-level big
block, it offered the best of both worlds — only a modest
price premium over the base 270-hp 350 engine
and nearly 100 more horses.
Our subject 454 drives through a 4-speed Muncie
gearbox, now considered desirable versus the Turbo
Hydra-Matic 3-speed automatic, which was a no-cost
option that nearly half of all 1971 Corvette buyers
adopted.
Just nice enough
This particular car features the most popular op-
tions of the time, including power steering and brakes,
an AM/FM radio, and the now nonfunctional a/c.
It also has a relatively rare alarm system, which is
activated by a key just above the rear Corvette letters
— when active, opening a door or the hood will cause
a horn to honk. Altogether, it’s a nicely equipped but
not particularly special car.
Another important matter is the body style. The
1971 models are the next-to-last of the “chrome bumper”
Sharks, and as such hold a strong styling edge
over the following, plastic-baby-bumper Corvettes
that lasted until — well, actually, they never went
away. 1972 was the last year for full-metal-bumper
Corvettes of any stripe.
Now to the condition, originality and history. In
terms of investment potential, to me this car has a
decent scorecard. It’s a sanitary and well-presented
example of a chrome-bumper, big-block C3 in an
arresting color with no known issues, aside from the
air-conditioning. That’s all good. However, it’s rated
as only a “B” in ACC’s Pocket Price Guide, where it
is outplayed by the high-output LT-1 small-block and
the low-production LS6 big-block of the same year.
Niggling points include that nonfunctional a/c and the
rear ride height, which appears a bit high thanks to
that new fiberglass spring.
Price-appropriate
The price paid was 30% above the ACC guide’s
median value of $30,500, appropriate for this car’s
excellent presentation and suggesting that the buyer
and seller each got a fair deal.
My bottom line: The buyer got a respectable car
that will make a great careful driver, and the seller got
solid money for the model.
Down the road, this LS5 is likely to be a reasonably
safe investment because it’s a nicely preserved bigblock
whose odometer is still on its first trip around
the block, but it will likely never break out because
it’s a low-spec big-block. Also of concern, the performance
world is turning toward smaller displacements,
fewer cylinders, turbos and hybrids. And so, when
Millennials age up onto their peak toy-buying years,
it’s impossible to know whether big blocks will become
more valued… or more vilified.
In either case, all that remains
today is for the new owner to
fix the air conditioning, strap a
suitcase onto the luggage rack,
grab a map and go use and enjoy
this throwback from 46 years
ago — intimidating a few Priuses
at the next stoplight while he’s at it.
And while on the road, let’s hope
he remembers to take that alarm
key!A
(Introductory description cour-
tesy of Mecum Auctions.)
January–February 2018
51CC
51
1971 Chevrolet Corvette
454/365 convertible
Lot 37, VIN: 194671S121024
Condition: 2-
Not sold at $42,000
ACC# 6803586
Motostalgia, Indianapolis, IN,
6/18/2016
Tune-up/major service: $500
Distributor cap: $35
VIN location: Plate on lower
left windshield pillar
More: www.ncrs.org
Alternatives: 1970 AMC
AMX, 1966 Chevrolet
Chevelle SS 396, 1970
Dodge Challenger R/T 383
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
1971 Chevrolet Corvette
350/270 coupe
Lot 251, VIN: 19437S118163
Condition: 2+
Sold at $42,350
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/17/2017
ACC# 6816742
1971 Chevrolet Corvette
454/365 coupe
Lot 2495, VIN:
194371S111460
Condition: 2
Sold at $39,600
Leake, Dallas, TX, 4/17/2016
ACC# 6799676

Page 50

PROFILE GM
The Everyman’s SS
1972 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE HEAVY CHEVY
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
Chevy made
it abundantly
clear that this
sub-model is
second to the
SS cars, and
that’s where
the prices fall
today, too
VIN: 1C37U2R67144
by Chad Tyson
• LS3 402-ci, 300-hp V8
• Documented one-owner car, with original title
and Protect-O-Plate
• Factory air conditioning
cally avoided the SS title, which triggered staggering
double-digit insurance premium increases in the early
‘70s.
The factory RPO code YF3 made this a rare Heavy
T
52 AmericanCarCollector.com
Chevy, a sub-model based on the Chevelle series. It
features a blacked-out grille and headlamp bezels,
14-by-6-inch Rally wheels with bright center caps and
no trim rings, a domed hood and hood pins, lanyards
and full-length Heavy Chevy body stripes, and hood,
trunk-lid and fender badges.
It’s also equipped with F41 heavy-duty suspension
and a base interior including rubber floor matting and
bench seating to save weight. This Heavy Chevy is one
of only 286 built with the optional big-block LS3 402ci
engine (the largest engine available) and the special
heavy-duty MC1 Muncie 3-speed manual transmission
that was only available with this engine.
his rare special-order Heavy Chevy was
marketed as a lighter version of the SS and
advertised much lower stated horsepower as
an insurance beater. Heavy Chevys were factory
coded as a base Chevelle and theoreti-
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 361.1, sold for
$33,000, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas, NV, sale on
October 20, 2017.
Finding car folks who love Chevrolet’s mid-size
monster, the vaunted Chevelle, isn’t hard. Stop by
any classic-car gathering and it won’t be long before
you see a Chevy A-body. Search any Chevy-centric
Internet forum and you’ll see plenty of praise heaped
on big-block tire roasters and plenty of signatures
including LS5, LS6 and SS 454.
But one variant isn’t as often discussed — the Heavy
Chevy.
Under the radar
Sure, there is a small set of fanatics for these cars,
the same as with most unappreciated trim levels or
models. Chevrolet produced only 16,235 (a scant 3.8%
of all 2-door hard tops) during the brief two-year
run. Then again, calling it a two-year run is a bit of a
stretch, as the option was introduced in March 1971.
The Rally Nova joined it in Chevrolet’s lineup as a
less-than-SS performance variant to combat the skyrocketing
insurance prices driving buyers (especially
the younger ones) away from the top-end performers.
Chevrolet, in their 1972 Chevelle brochure, referred
to the package as “an economical running mate to the
one on top. That’s the SS.”
To make that happen, Chevy made some conces

Page 51

CoLLeCTor’S reSourCe: You can easily track a car’s value over time with the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring more
than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com!
Detailing
Years produced: 1971–72
Number produced: 16,230
(1971, 6,727; 1972, 9,503)
Original list price: $3,216.20
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $21,188
Engine # location: Pad on
front of passenger’s side of
engine below cylinder head
Tune-up/major service: $100
VIN location: Tag on forward
part of dash near driver’s
side A-pillar
Club: American Chevelle
Enthusiasts Society
sions. RPO YF3 — the Heavy Chevy option code
— was only available on the 2-door hard top, and
wasn’t available with the 454-ci big block, as the 454
was exclusive to the SS lineup by this point. Ordering
customers could pick from any of the other V8s,
starting with the standard 307-ci small block, but also
including two 350s and the one under this hood — the
big-block LS3 402.
Almost an SS
Visual identification of one of these cars is
pretty easy. A blacked-out grille and Heavy Chevy
block-script vinyl spelled out the option on both
front fenders and on the driver’s side in front of the
hood. Speaking of the hood, it was domed with lock
pins, just like the one on the SS, but with no Cowl
Induction flapper. Front-to-back side stripes were the
other exterior cue as to which car you’re looking at.
Inside, the car reveals its economic emphasis, with a
front bench, no console available and standard-issue
rubber floormat.
This one is an even rarer example of the almost-SS,
as it sports the MC1 heavy-duty 3-speed manual
transmission. It’s easy enough to dismiss a 3-speed
manual as the base transmission, especially since it
was, but the MC1 wasn’t the base gearbox. In fact,
buyers plunked down an additional $135.20 over the
base price for the heavy-duty 3-speed upgrade. The
plain-Jane ZW4 is the quickly disregarded (and often
replaced) base unit, but the Muncie MC1 is every bit
the equivalent of its 4-speed counterparts, just minus
one gear. The 402/MC1 combination was installed in
only 272 cars, while Chevy produced 286 of the pairings
total in 1972. Other options here include power
front disc brakes, a Positraction rear end and a Sport
steering wheel.
Good docs, some needs
Our subject isn’t ready for the concours circuit,
with paint flaking off of valve covers and staining on
the passenger’s side of the front bench seat. But that’s
hardly the point of this car. The glitz and glamour,
such as any Chevrolet could garner, was reserved for
the SS models and Corvettes. The old, corrugated wire
looms and rusty vacuum hose clips add to the everyman
charm epitomized by those 10 blocky letters.
According to the auction catalog, plenty of documen-
tation accompanied the car: a copy of the original sales
agreement, Protect-O-Plate, special-order deposit receipt,
pre-delivery inspection form and more proof of the
seller’s claims of matching numbers. All bonuses here.
Chevy made it abundantly clear that this sub-model
is second to the SS cars, and that’s where the prices
fall, too. ACC’s Premium Auction Database has
tracked just five Heavy Chevys selling in the past
decade at public auction, and that includes this one.
Even if we include a Heavy Chevy sold in 2006 to the
equation, the median sales price for all of them is just
$21,188. That’s a far cry from the market median of
the ’72 SS 454, which stands at $36k, according to the
most recent ACC Pocket Price Guide.
Now, as for this car’s sales price, $33k is among the
highest tracked by ACC. I know one car’s sale doesn’t
make a market, but given this model’s rare auction
appearances, it’s just about all we’ve got to go on to
nail down a current valuation.
The loads of documentation likely added to price,
too, but if this result is any indication of how buyers
are feeling about the rarer-than-an-SS Chevelle, perhaps
we’ll see some new love come to this under-loved
everyman’s performance Chevy. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Barrett-
Jackson.)
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle
Heavy Chevy
Web: www.chevelles.com
Alternatives: 1972 Chevrolet
Rally Nova, 1971 Pontiac
LeMans GT-37, 1972
Plymouth Road Runner
ACC Investment Grade: C
Comps
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle
Heavy Chevy
Lot J132, VIN:
1C37H2K598638
Condition: N/A
Sold at $15,120
Mecum Auctions, Kissimmee,
FL, 1/25/2015
ACC# 6775376
1972 Chevrolet Chevelle
Heavy Chevy
Lot TH281, VIN:
1C37J2L548074
Condition: 3
Sold at $19,800
Russo and Steele, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/18/2012
ACC# 4775770
Lot 766, VIN: 1C37F21543901
Condition: N/A
Sold at $27,500
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/18/2010
ACC# 1679418
January–February 2018 53

Page 52

PROFILE FOMOCO
Big-Money Boss
2012 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 302
Courtesy of Motostalgia
This car sold
at auction
for an
eye-popping
$80,300,
which is
fantastic for
the seller
but could be
ridiculous
for the buyer
VIN: 1ZVBP8U2C5199915
by Jeff Zurschmeide
• 5.0-L DOHC 32-valve V8
• 6-speed manual transmission
• 945 miles from new
Boss 302 Mustangs were built for 2012. This example,
which has barely had break-in miles put on the clock,
is finished in black with the distinctive red markings.
Only a few miles have been put on this car, but
T
54 AmericanCarCollector.com
54 AmericanCarCollector.com
the entire engine-drivetrain, suspension, handling
and even the Torsen differential combine to make this
machine a dream to drive. Just 612 Boss 302s received
the black/red treatment, which includes the red
anodized alloy wheels. This car still wears its factory
Pirelli tires.
ACC Analysis This car, Lot 55, sold for $80,300,
including buyer’s premium, at
Motostalgia’s auction of the McPherson Collection in
Waxahachie, TX, on October 14, 2017.
The original Boss 302 is the stuff of automotive
legend. The man behind the Boss — Semon “Bunkie”
Knudson — had been at the helm of Chevrolet during
the early ’60s and in that capacity had signed off on
the second-generation Corvette. So when he left GM
to become president of Ford in 1968, it was a big deal.
Knudson brought Corvette designer Larry Shinoda
over from Chevrolet to work on the Mustang.
here was no mistaking the Boss 302 for other
run-of-the-mill Mustangs. Like the original,
its unique exterior décor set these cars
apart, as if the running gear didn’t do that.
Produced for just two years, a total of 3,249
With the Pony Car wars at full volume, Shinoda
began work on a special project for Knudson. He
simply referred to it as “the Boss’s Car,” and the name
stuck.
The Boss 302 was developed for Trans-Am racing,
and the Hi-Po engine became a fan favorite. Ford built
1,934 Boss 302 Mustangs in 1969 and 6,318 in 1970.
Today, the original Boss 302 is a solidly collectible
vintage Mustang with an “A” investment grade in
ACC’s Pocket Price Guide.
Return of the Boss
Ford revived the Boss name in 2012 for a special
edition of the popular fifth-generation Mustang. The car
featured a plussed-up version of the Mustang’s standard
5.0-L V8, fitted with special CNC-ported heads, forged
crank, performance cams and a long-runner intake
manifold. The modern Boss 302 engine delivers 444
horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, and was
mated to Ford’s best 6-speed manual transmission.
In the chassis, the 2012–13 Boss 302 uses the
Mustang GT setup, but with firmer springs and bushings
and a bigger rear sway bar. Adjustable shocks,
19-inch wheels, and a race-inspired aero package
complete the hard-parts upgrade. Recaro seats and a
Torsen limited-slip differential were optional. Finally,
Ford gave the Boss an additional intermediate setting
on the electronic traction and stability controls for
light-duty track use.
The results are impressive. Fresh off the showroom
floor, the Boss 302 does 0–60 in about 4.3 seconds,
runs a 12.8 second ET in the quarter-mile, has a top
speed governed to 155 mph, and will pull 0.90 Gs on

Page 53

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than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, model, VIN and more. Sign up for just $59 at www.AmericanCarCollector.com!
Detailing
Years produced: 2012–13
Number produced: 8,289
Original list price: $40,995
Current ACC Median Price:
$39,050
Engine # location: Engine
compartment on driver’s
side fender apron
Club: Mustang Club of
America
the skid pad. It will brake from 70 mph to a dead stop
in 160 feet.
Two keys
There’s some technological fun to be had in the
modern world, and Ford went all-in with the Boss.
When you bought the car, you got two types of key — a
basic key that starts the car with the parameters listed
above, and a red “Track Key” that has the potential to
change the car’s engine settings for a more dynamic
driving experience. The Track Key engine programming
cost the new owner a gimmicky $302, but the reflash
included changes to the cam timing, spark and fuel
curves, and launch control. Retrofit Track Keys are now
available from Ford again, but the whole package costs
about $900 for the key and the reflash unit.
There were a few extra-special editions made based
on the new Boss. The 302R and 302S were not streetlegal
and sold purely for racing use, while the Laguna
Seca edition used all the racing parts but remains
street-legal.
For 2012, Ford produced a total of 4,016 Boss
302 Mustangs. There were 3,249 basic cars and 767
Laguna Seca models. For 2013, production amounted
to 4,273 cars, with 3,526 of the street version and 747
Laguna Seca editions. These numbers do not include
the special-order 302R and 302S versions.
The 2012 Boss 302 carried an original sticker price
of $40,995. For $302 more you got the Track Key
reflash, and you could get the Recaro seats and the
limited-slip diff for $1,995. The Laguna Seca edition
was $6,995 more than the basic Boss.
Collecting the Boss
Finding a Boss 302 today isn’t hard. One popular
nationwide online aggregator shows 147 examples
for sale. Prices start in the low $20k range, and the
highest-mileage cars have about 86,000 miles on the
clock. There are several examples with fewer than
1,000 miles covered since new, and most of those are
priced just under $50,000.
Our subject car is a 2012 Boss 302 in black over
red, with the Recaro and Torsen option. It’s effectively
a perfect time-capsule car, with just 945 miles showing
on the odometer. It’s called out as the Pilot Laguna
Seca edition car on the windshield but not in any of
the auction company documentation. All in all, you
really couldn’t ask for a nicer example of this generation
of the Boss.
But this car sold at auction for an eye-popping
$80,300, which is fantastic for the seller but could be
ridiculous for the buyer.
Here’s why: Almost every Boss 302 that was made
has been well cared-for, and a modern factory performance
car can easily show 30,000–80,000 miles
without losing any of its mojo. If you want to be sure
to get a good example, look for the usual provenance
such as a clean CARFAX report, no title brands, and
have the car professionally inspected for any signs of
crash damage or abuse. As an extra measure of protection,
you might look for cars that have not had the
Track Key reflash done, because owners who installed
launch control probably used it.
With more than 8,000 cars built, the Boss 302 is
not going to be exceptionally rare any time soon. It’s
entirely possible to buy a solid, reasonable-miles
example for much less than the original MSRP. If you
want a car that’s never really been driven, you can
have that for $50,000 without any negotiation.
Was this car worth $80,300? I don’t think so, but
Web: www.mustang.org
Alternatives: 2014–15
Chevrolet Camaro
Z/28, 2015–17 Dodge
Challenger Hellcat,
2013–14 Shelby GT500
Tune-up/major service: $300
Distributor cap: N/A
VIN location: Base of windshield,
driver’s side
ACC Investment Grade: C
Comps
2012 Ford Mustang
Boss 302 Pre-Production
Lot T240, VIN:
1ZVBP8CU6C5199884
Condition: 2Sold
at $70,200
Mecum Auctions, Indianapolis,
IN, 5/15/2015
ACC# 265275
2012 Ford Mustang
Boss 302 Laguna Seca
Parnelli Jones Edition
Lot 144, VIN:
1ZVBP8CU4C5257491
Condition: 1Sold
at $88,000
RM Auctions, Farmers
Branch, TX, 11/15/2014
ACC# 256067
when it comes to buying decisions, you’re the boss. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Motostalgia.)
2012 Ford Mustang
Boss 302
Lot 902, VIN:
1ZVBP8CU65221883
Condition: 2+
Not sold at $35,000
VanDerBrink Auctions,
Bismark, ND, 6/16/2012
ACC# 207932
January–February 2018
55CC
55

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Detailing
Years produced: 1956–60
Number produced: 300
(1957 convertibles)
Original list price: $4,272
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $181,500
Tune-up/major service: $350
Distributor cap: $102.61
(NOS)
Club: National DeSoto Club
Inc.
Engine # location: Top of
block in front of valley
cover
stodgy to cutting edge, and the 1955–56 lineup jolted
the market with the first of Exner’s “Forward Look”
designs, and from Plymouth to Imperial, sales took a
turn upward.
The new Adventurer became the style and per-
formance leader of DeSoto in 1956, even serving as
Indianapolis 500 Pace Car. But Exner’s next remake
stunned the market in 1957 — and the two cars that
delivered the biggest blows were both limited editions:
the Chrysler 300C and DeSoto Adventurer.
“The most exciting car today is now delighting
the far highway. It’s DELOVELY! It’s DYNAMIC!
It’s DeSOTO!” shouted the TV ads for the ’57 cars.
Hardly warmed-over Dodges, Exner’s DeSoto exuded
the style and performance of the top-line Chryslers,
without stealing the Chrysler’s thunder. Sales were up
from ’56, with 117,514 DeSotos built, including 1,950
Adventurers. Of those, just 300 were convertibles.
Starting at $4,272, the Adventurer was powered by a
345-ci first-gen Hemi delivering 345 hp (the legendary
one-horsepower-per-cubic-inch) through a 3-speed
TorqueFlite automatic. Surf White, Adventurer
Gold and black were the only colors available, with
contrasting trim. DeSoto was at its zenith — but not
for long.
From dynamic to defunct
Author and DeSoto enthusiast Dave Duricy wrote,
“It’s said that DeSoto 4-door hard tops built at Los
Angeles leaked so badly in the rain that occupants
were wise to exit the car to avoid drowning. One 1957
DeSoto Adventurer was incapacitated for four of the
total 18 months it was owned by its first owner. The
car went through four transmissions, three powersteering
units, two new double-point distributors, new
valve guides and a new radiator. Reportedly, it took
considerable effort and the attention of Chrysler’s
chairman of the board to have the car corrected.
Stories like these and a propensity for early rust
angered DeSoto’s traditional clientele.”
DeSoto’s moment was up. Sales dropped so
precipitously (by 70%) in the recession year of 1958
that the brand never recovered. The last DeSoto was
built on November 30, 1960 — an ugly, half-hearted
Dodge re-skin. This was the first domino that would
eventually leave Buick as the last mid-market brand
standing today.
Top of the drop-top heap
What made the DeSoto Adventurer so compelling
when new continues to make them popular 60 years
later, and when the Adventurer is a convertible, all the
better. Our feature DeSoto has a fine restoration and
loads of options. Few automobiles from the flamboyant
’50s turn heads quite like Adventurers, and their
prices reflect that.
Mr. Derro paid $81,400 for this DeSoto at Barrett-
Jackson in 1999. Today the median price for a ’57
Adventurer convertible has risen to around $181,500,
with several selling for over $200k.
With few Adventurers in existence, only one or two
of these cars come to market every year. For the past
several years, we’ve seen no real upward or downward
trend with the Adventurer — just steady value near the
top of the peak for all ’50s American cars.
That said, considering this car’s condition, the price
paid was a deal at $50k under what the market can
support. Maybe the Mardi Gras Red 1961 Chrysler
300G convertible that was next in line completely stole
the spotlight. Whatever the reason, there is nothing
middle-of-the-road here — this DeSoto was very well
bought at a truly Delovely price. A
(Introductory description courtesy of RM
Sotheby’s.)
1957 DeSoto Adventurer
convertible
Lot 609, VIN: 50411051
Condition: 3
Sold at $187,000
Auctions America by RM, Fort
Lauderdale, FL, 3/4/2011
ACC# 169134
1957 DeSoto Adventurer
convertible
Lot 5008.1, VIN: 50417567
Condition: 1Sold
at $225,500
VIN location: Plate on driver’s
side door hinge pillar
Web: www.desoto.org
Alternatives: 1957 Chrysler
300C convertible, 1957
Oldsmobile J-2 convertible,
1957 Pontiac Bonneville
convertible
ACC Investment Grade: D
Comps
1957 DeSoto Adventurer
convertible
Lot 5103, VIN: 50414922
Condition: 2+
Sold at $198,000
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/10/2015
ACC# 256727
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/15/2012
ACC# 191444
January–February 2018
January–February 2018 57

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Detailing
Year produced: 1932
Number produced: 6,893
DeLuxe roadsters, 520
standard roadsters
Original list price: $500
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $57,750
Tune-up/major service:
Estimated $250
Clubs: Goodguys, National
Street Rod Association
(NSRA)
VIN location: On the front
frame rail, driver’s side.
Pete bought the speedy ’32 from Don Casselman.
It was equipped with a Don Blair-built bored-andstroked
296-ci Mercury flathead. It had a cam from
the legendary Pierre “Pete” Bertrand, milled aluminum
“Denver” heads, a Weiand high-rise dual-intake
manifold, twin Stromberg 97s and a Spaulding dualpoint,
dual-coil ignition. It also had a neatly chopped
top, but it retained its original mechanical brakes and
mid-’30s 16-inch wire wheels. A 1944-dated Russetta
Timing Association timing tag on the dashboard
claims a 120.9-mph run at Harper Dry Lake in that
configuration.
Pete Henderson sold the car in 1946 to L.K.
Chappelow of Monrovia, CA. The ex-Henderson ’32
roadster then passed to Manny Ayulo, who competed
at a number of L.A.-area circle tracks in it.
The Henderson deuce was next owned by George
Rowland, who added bobbed rear fenders by Art
Chrisman, steel wheels with baby-moon caps and wide
whites. Ralph “Digger” Guldahl Jr. got it in 1955,
dropping in a new 265-ci Chevy V8. The roadster then
appeared in a slew of B movies, including “Hot Rod
Gang” and “The Spider.”
Later, it was owned by Art Vitteraly, under whose
ownership it was channeled and powered by a Buick
V8. It passed to Florida-based hot rod builder Chuck
Longley in 1977.
Mystery deuce
Longley didn’t know much about his vintage hot
rod, so he ran an ad about the car, hoping to find
out some information about its history. The ad was
answered by none other than Pete Henderson — the
man who had driven past the quarter horse.
The two talked, and when Longley mentioned the
car’s Auburn dash panel and noted several distinctly
filled holes, Henderson said, “It kinda sounded like my
car.” Longley asked if Henderson still had the road-
ster‘s serial number. Henderson did, and was able to
verify it as the same car.
After all those years and transformations, the his-
toric deuce still retained its original body, frame and
chopped windshield.
Referencing old photos, Chuck Longley and his son
Mike set about restoring the car in 1995. In the process,
they located a proper flathead V8, a ’34 Auburn
dash panel, a rare accessory rimless steering wheel,
an early Cadillac fuel-pressure pump, a pair of ’39
Ford teardrop taillights and more.
After restoration, the Longleys took the car to the
Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, where it won the
award for the best historic hot rod.
Crash landing
The ex-Henderson ’32 was featured in The Rodder’s
Journal #32, and then later was selected as one of the
75 Most Significant ’32 Fords of all time by a committee
of automotive and hot rod experts (of which I
was a member). It was honored at the Grand National
Roadster show in 2007, and then later passed to Ralph
Whitworth, who planned to display it in a museum in
Winnemucca, NV.
In transit to Pebble Beach that year, the car was
damaged. It then underwent an extensive re-restoration
by National Rod & Custom Hall of Fame honoree
Tim Strange, owner of Strange Motion in Lewisburg,
TN. “We stripped the car to bare metal and did a full
frame-off restoration. Jamie Rice did the upholstery.
Talking with Pete Henderson, and studying old photographs,”
Strange says, “we restored the car as close
to the way Pete had built it as we could.”
The Pete Henderson ’32 Ford attracted consider-
able attention at the RM Sotheby’s Hershey sale.
It had been a while since an authentic historic hot
rod had been offered at auction, and this car’s neat
appearance and fascinating story attracted spirited
bidding.
The underbidders were a sports car-loving New
Jersey couple who’d never owned a hot rod but were
captivated with the saga of the roadster and its victory
over the quarter horse. The winning bidder was Ross
Myers, a noted Pennsylvania-based car collector
whose “3 Dog Garage” private museum in Boyertown,
PA, is home to the Ricky Nelson channeled ’32 Ford
roadster, the ex-Fred Steele roadster, and several
more cars with great pedigrees, not to mention a
Ridler Award-winning ’36 Ford 3-window.
The selling price of $192,500 exceeded the $160k–
$180k high estimate. You could probably build this car
for $150k, but history is priceless. With that in mind,
I’d call it a good deal for the seller and the buyer. A
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)
January–February 2018 59
Web: www.goodguys.com,
www.nsra.com
Alternatives: Other ’40s-to’50’s-era
period hot rods
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
1932 Ford Highboy roadster,
ex-Tom McMullen
Lot S109, VIN: 18152025
Condition: 1Sold
at $742,000
Mecum Auctions, Anaheim,
CA, 11/14/2012
ACC# 213966
1932 Ford Highboy roadster,
ex-Walker Morrison
Lot 132, VIN: 1874450
Condition: 1
Sold at $225,000
Bonhams, Carmel, CA,
8/16/2013
ACC# 227288
1932 Ford Edelbrock Special
roadster
Lot 154, VIN: N/A
Condition: 2
Not sold at $210,000
RM Auctions, Monterey, CA,
8/21/2011
ACC# 183925

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Detailing
Years produced: 1953–61
Number produced: 94,968
Original list price: $1,697
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $17,600
(convertible)
Engine # location: Tag on
right side of engine
the coupe.
The initial response was enthusiastic, with over
11,000 orders placed in 1954.
Super product placement
Now, George Mason was a true master of market-
ing. He managed to get the 112-horsepower Nash
Ambassador 4-door sedan, which he drove, selected
as the pace car for the 1947 Indianapolis 500.
He also arranged for Nash products to be
prominently featured in the popular “Superman”
TV series. Clark Kent, aka Superman, often drove a
Nash-Healey. His girlfriend, Lois Lane, appeared in
a Rambler, and photographer Jimmy Olsen drove a
Metropolitan.
Time passed, and sales faltered, which meant a
redesign was in order for the 1956 model year.
The larger Austin A-50 engine, which produced 52
horsepower, was utilized. Distinctive zig-zag chrome
side moldings became the car’s trademark.
The Metropolitan was now sold by both Nash and
Hudson dealers, with the only difference being the
grille badging. However, both names were gone by
1958, when AMC dropped the Nash and Hudson brand
names. The little Metropolitan, however, motored on.
“Luxury in Miniature”
A trunk was added in 1959, and Metropolitans were
advertised as “Luxury in Miniature.” Sales were at
an all-time high, with 22,209 Mets leaving dealer
showrooms.
Production was ramped up for the anticipated
sales increase that never happened. Why not? Small,
imported European cars such as the Volkswagen, MG
and Opel were now dominating the market.
The Metropolitan was discontinued in the middle of
1960, but sales continued as late as 1963, as the cars
were retitled to the appropriate year.
The last 412 Metropolitans were delivered in 1962,
and the little car became a footnote in automotive
history.
Too much for an exceptional example
Our subject Metropolitan was built in June of 1960
and was one of 114 shipped to Canada in 1961. It was
restored to an exceptional standard and finished in
the correct livery of P 912 Berkshire Green with P 914
Frost White.
The trim code was listed as T-1, however, which is
correct for cars built through 1955, with code T-921
being correct for this car.
This car sold for over-the-top money, as at least
two spirited bidders decided they had to have the car
regardless of common sense.
There are 249 Metropolitans listed in the ACC
Premium Auction Database, with only two selling in
the $50,000 range. Most of the cars in the database
sold for under $15,000.
This car was an outlier by a wide margin.
The sale of the famed Bruce Weiner microcar col-
lection in February 2013 seemed to legitimize little
cars, and we have seen numerous unusual examples
sell for six figures.
Close to 100,000 Metropolitans were produced,
however, so they are far from rare. They are not a difficult
restoration. With that said, it’s difficult to justify
the price paid here. I have to think the underbidder is
breathing a sigh of relief. A
(Introductory description courtesy of RM
Sotheby’s.)
1960 AMC Metropolitan
hard top
Lot 56R, s/n E67728
Condition 4Sold
at $7,910
ACC# 6840158
VanDerBrink Auctions,
Hackenberger Collection,
7/15/17
Web: mocna.us
Alternatives: 1950–59
Volkswagen Beetle,
1958–59 Opel Rekord,
1958–59 Fiat 500
Tune up/major service: $250
Chassis # location: Tag on
firewall, right upper shock
tower
Club: Metropolitan Owners
Club of North America
ACC Investment Grade: B
Comps
1957 Nash Metropolitan
convertible
Lot 285, s/n E35013
Condition 2Sold
at $15,750
McCormick’s, Palm Springs,
CA, 2/24/17
ACC# 6827933
1959 AMC Metropolitan
convertible
Lot 60, s/n E68770
Condition 2
Sold at $24,200
ACC# 245255
Worldwide, Auburn, IN,
8/30/14
January–February 2018
61CC
61

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in “as-raced” condition.
The car still had the original drivetrain, which is
unheard of for an old dragster. Petralia reapplied the
yellow paint and rebuilt much (if not all) of the original
components that had wisely been left intact.
Parts were restored, and the engine was rebuilt to
the original NHRA specs. Decals and other lettering
were placed back on the car using vintage photos as
reference. It was reported that the restoration took
about two years to complete.
Jim Lamatrice documented the car as his original
drag car from 1956.
Sold at Barrett-Jackson in 2007
During our research, it was discovered that chassis
37848 was sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale sale
in 2007 as Lot 745.1. Including the buyer’s premium,
the car sold for $49,500.
Given this sale result, I would suggest that the
restoration was fresh at that time. Plus, the description
provided with the car stated that tons of excellent
documentation, photos, track slips, magazine articles
and the like were included with the sale — even an old
racing jacket.
I would assume that same documentation was
included with the car this go-round, but there is no
mention of it in the RM Sotheby’s catalog copy.
Arizona-assigned VIN
While it doesn’t really seem to matter in the big-
picture overview, one item that does stand out, at least
to me, is the Arizona-assigned VIN on the car. Why?
Based on everything we’ve learned and read about
the car, it was purchased new, drag raced and used on
the street during its illustrious life. That said, at some
point an Arizona VIN was assigned to the car, which
raises a few questions but doesn’t likely affect the
value assessment — given the fact that we are talking
about an old drag machine.
Gracefully aging
Perusing the photos from RM Sotheby’s, it appears
that Jim’s old car is showing her age. Don’t get me
wrong, it’s not like it’s been kicked to the curb, but
she’s definitely showing signs of storage and deterioration
(so am I).
In the world of classic machines, condition drives
value more than almost any other factor. As suggested
by the Barrett-Jackson sale at $49,500, I would
surmise that our subject has deteriorated enough to
drive the value down substantially. Of course, we can
argue that the Barrett-Jackson sale price was overly
exuberant (it was), so how do we benchmark the latest
sale at $21,450?
Tri-Fives take a nosedive
The market is changing for Shoebox 1955–57
Chevrolets. A quick search of Hemmings showed 441
cars for sale (all models).
It’s not that the cars aren’t iconic — they are — but
as folks age, more of them are coming up for sale.
We all know that if there aren’t enough buyers in
the room, the prices drop. This is simple supply and
demand.
Our ACC Pocket Price Guide shows a drop of about
15% from last year, with an Investment Grade of C
(for hard tops). This is spot-on. Prices are dropping
for this group of cool cars that are losing their fans to
time.
The quick analysis on a quick car
With any former race car, no matter what type, the
value is directly connected to the chassis, provenance
and whether the original equipment is still intact
(along with the condition, of course).
The more notorious the car was back in the day, the
more bids it’s likely to attract. The high-pyramid cars,
those at the top, will set the market, and all others will
follow. With our subject car, while it’s very cool and
incredibly intact, it was never a car that was a top
performer. Yes, the O/Stock title at the 1970 NHRA
Winternationals is a big achievement, but the car simply
doesn’t carry the brand recognition as a promoted,
factory team car.
At the end of the day, what we have here, at least
by my observations, is a cool, authentic old drag car.
This car has a lot of the original mechanical parts,
and it is back into “as raced” condition.
The restoration is unwinding, or at least mellowing
to a point that is likely still acceptable, but no longer
in stellar condition. So, this car is a driver. The interior
could be described as an eyesore, but that’s in the
eye of the beholder. If this weren’t an old drag car with
some provenance, it would likely be a $15,000 car.
Nobody got hurt here, and the all-in money at
$21,450 is pretty low on the Old Car-O-Meter.
This car is surely a blast to drive, and it will be a
huge hit at the next burger-joint cruise-in. As just an
old vintage 1956 210 driver with the original drivetrain,
it is fairly bought. But given the vintage livery,
cool factor, documentation and undisputed racing
1955 Chevrolet 210 2-door
sedan
Lot T251, s/n B55T211423
Condition 2+
Sold at $36,380
Mecum, Houston, TX, 3/6/13
ACC# 215967
1956 Chevrolet 210 2-door
sedan
Lot S48.1, s/n 61011623808
Condition 2Sold
at $33,480
Mecum, Dallas, TX, 9/6/14
ACC# 245180
Detailing
Years produced: 1955–57
Number produced: 205,545
(1956 210 2-door sedans)
Original list price: $2,011
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $37,300 (Bel
Air)
Engine # location: Stamped
in block on pad ahead of
passenger’s side cylinder
head
Club: www.trifive.com
Alternatives: Any period
drag car built to race in a
specific class
ACC Investment Grade: C
Comps
Tune-up/major service: $300
Distributor cap: $14
VIN location: Driver’s door
A-pillar
1957 Chevrolet 210 Black
Widow replica
Lot 63, s/n A570138807
Condition 1Sold
at $71,500
Gooding & Co., Scottsdale,
AZ, 1/19/08
ACC# 48801
history — it’s a great buy. A
(Introductory description courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.)
January–February 2018 63

Page 62

PROFILE TRUCK
1952 FWD F-SERIES FIRE TRUCK
A Burning Desire for Big Toys
Courtesy of Barrett-Jackson
Many
collectors
who buy fire
trucks —
despite their
actual age —
are still kids
who always
wanted a fire
truck
VIN: 115823
by B. Mitchell Carlson and Stuart Lenzke
bought the retired engine from the department. The
firefighters believe the old engine and its rich service
history deserved far more than to fall into a state of
abandonment.
Engine 2632 has been used for parades and special
T
64 AmericanCarCollector.com
64 AmericanCarCollector.com
events, including some photo advertisements in Boise,
ID. The department personnel hope a new owner will
give this family member the home it deserves for
the lives and property it has saved. A Cummins 220
engine with 5-speed manual transmission powers this
fire truck.
ACC Analysis This truck, Lot 26, sold for
$12,650, including buyer’s pre-
mium, at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas auction on
October 19, 2017.
Many have heard of Oshkosh Truck — now Oshkosh
Corporation — a world-renowned manufacturer of
heavy-duty military and civilian trucks.
his FWD Pumper, Engine 2632, was in service
as a front-line pumper until 2004, when
it was replaced by a new pumper engine
at the Baker Rural Fire Protection District
in Baker City, OR. Department personnel
Yet few know of the Four Wheel Drive Auto
Company, or FWD, which was the first successful U.S.
manufacturer of four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Both FWD and Oshkosh Truck had roots in the
small town of Clintonville, WI. Started in 1908 by Otto
Zachow and his brother-in-law William Besserdich,
what became FWD in 1911 was the world’s largest
maker of four-wheel-drive trucks by the end of the
decade, having built upwards of 15,000 FWD Model
Bs for the U.S. Army.
Besserdich left FWD and co-founded Wisconsin
Duplex Auto Company, which relocated south to the
city of Oshkosh to become the Oshkosh Motor Truck
Manufacturing Company.
As the post-World War I market was flush with
trucks, FWD sold parts to sustain the business until
the market picked up again.
As the demand for more specialized trucks picked
up through the 1920s and 1930s, FWD offered a
bewildering array of choices, not just in wheelbase
and model, but also in engine, transmission, axle, carburetor
and even ignition. Buda and Cummins Diesels
with Waukesha and Hercules gas engines served most
needs prior to World War II. GM diesel use increased

Page 63

CoLLeCTor’S reSourCe: The easiest way to track a car’s value over time is the ACC Premium Auction Database, featuring
more than 125,000 American cars searchable by year, make, model, VIN and more. Sign up at www.AmericanCarCollector.com.
post-war, with International gas engines replacing
Waukesha starting in the mid-1950s.
FWD built its own transmissions, transfer cases
and axles, but the company also offered Brown-Lipe,
Cotta, Fuller, Wisconsin and Timken parts.
FWD also dabbled in auto racing, with a four-
wheel-drive Miller V8-powered car placing 4th in the
1932 Indianapolis 500.
FWD continued as a custom-build truck manu-
facturer into the late 1990s, with an emphasis on
Seagrave fire engines. FWD bought Seagrave Fire
Apparatus in 1963. Today, FWD Seagrave is still in
Clintonville and building fire trucks.
From Portland to Baker City
FWD Seagrave didn’t have much information on
our subject truck, so we contacted the Baker Rural
Fire Protection District in Baker City, OR.
The district’s retired chief, Howard Payton, knew a
lot about our fire truck.
Payton said the truck is a 1950 model — not a 1952.
In 1986, the Baker Rural Fire District bought
the truck — then white — from the Portland Fire
Department. The truck came cheap, as the original
gas Waukesha engine was toast.
A freshly overhauled Cummins 220 was salvaged
from a wrecked Freightliner and adapted to the FWD.
The truck was then painted yellow.
Chief Payton said our subject truck was a good
brush-fire truck. The four-wheel-drive truck was
equipped with a 750-gallon-per-minute pump and
a 1,000-gallon water tank. That rig made the truck
perfect for fighting wildfires and structural fires in
rural areas.
For quicker rough-country response times, the tire
chains were left on all winter.
The truck as sold in Las Vegas looks like it is in
very good condition. The unusual chrome grille gives
the truck a unique look. Use of the International Truck
Comfo-Vision cab started about five years after our
subject truck was built, so it may well have a woodframed
cab.
Owning a FWD
One of us owns one of these beasts, although it
is not a fire truck. After moving off Minot Air Force
Base, ND, to a place in the country in early 1996,
Stuart needed a last-resort snow defense system.
He became the owner of a 1947 FWD Model HR
snowplow that used to clear the streets of St. Paul, MN.
The choice was easy, as he could have paid $1,500 to
put a plow on his 1975 GMC ¾-ton pickup. Instead, he
paid $500 for the FWD Model HR snowplow.
Stuart’s snowplow is styled very similarly to our
subject truck. The snowplow has a wood-framed,
slightly different cab. It has the 404-ci Waukesha
6MZR gasoline flathead straight-six engine and a
FWD 5-speed with a Hi/Lo transfer case.
Low miles and hammered engines
Fire trucks are hit-and-miss on values. Overall
condition plays a far greater part than low miles, as
the vast majority of fire trucks have low miles.
However, fire trucks often have a ton of hours on
the engine, as they often ran a pump at full throttle for
hours on end. Some gearheads may buy fire trucks as
a cheap way of getting a low-mile chassis once the fire
apparatus is stripped off. However, those same lowmileage
trucks may be mechanically needy.
The level of specialization also plays a big factor in
values. On the bottom of the pecking order is a regular
commercial chassis with a fire body on it.
The next tier up is trucks from the more-specialized
builders. Our FWD is in this category, along with
Oshkosh, Mack and International.
The top tier is fire-engine-specific builders, such as
American LaFrance, Seagrave and Crown Firecoach.
Where do you put it?
A fire truck has limited practicality for a civilian.
Most will not fit in a standard garage.
A fire truck is a very big toy that you need to park.
If you park it outside, the fire truck is not going to
fare well. Serious fire-truck collectors can afford to
properly store and maintain their equipment.
A person of average means might be able to prop-
erly care and tend to one rig, but anything more is just
too much.
Our subject fire truck sold well because of the venue
— and because it was a serviceable unit rather than
one raised from the dead.
This sale doesn’t set the market for FWD fire trucks.
A year and a half ago, a local estate sale had a few
vehicles in the mix. One of them was a similar FWD
fire engine — a model F75T, built 415 units before our
subject truck. This truck had the usual Waukesha gas
engine, and it had been sitting dormant for some time.
It still ran, but it had issues. That truck sold for $450,
and it probably went to the scrappers.
The Cummins engine probably helped the sale of
our subject fire truck. In today’s truck world, diesels
are more accepted than a gas engine that may get two
miles to the gallon — if you’re lucky.
Granted, servicing a vintage Cummins 220 is a
more specialized task than caring for a 6B yanked
out of a T-boned Ram 3500 Quad Cab dually. The
Cummins 220 saw a long service life — many are still
working for a living — so parts and service know-how
are still out there.
We suspect that a collector — one with the means
to park it inside with the rest of his toys — bought our
subject fire truck. Many fire-truck collectors — despite
their real age — are still kids who always wanted a
fire truck.
This emotion will always drive the fire-truck market.
Looking in from the outside, we may feel this truck was
well sold. But to the buyer, it was the deal of the day. A
(Introductory description courtesy of Barrett-
Jackson.)
January–February 2018
65CC
65
1939 Diamond T 406
fire truck
1959 Dodge Power Wagon
fire truck
Lot 138, VIN: B2444
Condition: 1
Sold at $59,400
RM Sotheby’s, Santa Monica,
CA, 6/24/2017
ACC# 6839578
Detailing
Years produced: 1946–55
Number produced: Unknown
Original list price: $5,500
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $10,825
Club: American Truck
Historical Society
Engine # location: Driver’s
side of the block, aft of the
injection pump
Tune-up cost: $1,500
Distributor cap: N/A
VIN location: On weight
rating plate on the driver’s
door
Web: www.aths.org, www.
yesterdaystruck.com
Alternatives: 1947–55
American LaFrance
model 700 COE, 1946–60
Oshkosh W-Series
fire chassis, 1951–70
Seagrave 70th Anniversary
series, 1949–82 Crown
Firecoach
ACC Investment Grade: D
Comps
Lot 28, VIN: 11880
Condition: 3Sold
at $12,338
U.S. Auctioneers, Friesland,
WI, 7/25/2013
ACC# 226899
Lot 31, VIN: 10D56W005127
Condition: 4Sold
at $3,150
U.S. Auctioneers, Friesland,
WI, 7/25/2013
1956 Chevrolet 10500
fire truck
ACC# 226901

Page 66

MARKET OVERVIEW
Hot Fall Auction Months
Across the Country
The Branson sale cradles the next generation of restorers
MARKET MOMENT
Whenever our hobby makes
enter into collecting with the precursor to the Mustang — 1963 Ford Falcon convertible, sold at $7,500
by Garrett Long
average sale price of $122k at their Hershey, PA, auction, RM Sotheby’s proved that the pre-war car market is
still alive and booming. RM Sotheby’s doesn’t appear to be slowing down as results continue to ramp up, having
not dropped to a seven-digit total since 2013. As the broader market moves away from almost century-old
cars, they will continue to be welcomed and adored by the participants at the Hershey auction.
Optimistic Pontiac fans attended VanDerBrink’s Hutchinson, MN, auction in September to find a classic
F
GTO or LeMans restoration foundation. Just 15 cars were offered — all in different states of disrepair — and
all sold for a total of $78k. The auction was held in conjunction with a Pontiac parts sales, so many of the
purchasers probably went home with head starts on their new projects.
The Branson Auction recorded their second-highest total at their Missouri sale in late October. While
their average sale price and number of lots have stayed roughly the same, they seem to have improved on their
ability to close deals, as their sales rate and totals have been up for the past half-decade.
In Auburn, IN, Worldwide Auctioneers made all the right moves at their September sale, having sold
96% of the 85 lots that were offered, but their average sales price and total is lower than typical. If they can
ramp up their quality of offerings while continuing to offer their impressive sales rate, Auburn should bring
impressive numbers next year.
With the Frank Thompson Collection as their base, Smith Auctions held their first-ever sale in Overland
Park, KS, where they reported over a $1.1m total. As they continue to find their footing in an unlikely location,
Smith Auctions should provide a low-key future venue for American classics. A
BEST BUYS
1956 pontiac Safari wagon,
$36,040—Smith Auctions LLC,
Mo, p. 122
68 AmericanCarCollector.com
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454
convertible, $66,000—barrettJackson,
nV, p. 76
1969 Chevrolet Camaro rS/SS
coupe, $45,650—branson, Mo,
p. 92
1921 Ford Model T Center Door
sedan, $16,500—Worldwide
Auctioneers, In, p. 103
1970 Shelby GT500 convertible,
$137,500—barrett-Jackson, nV,
p. 80
or their 2017 October Las Vegas sale, Barrett-Jackson returned to the Mandalay Bay Resort and
hit impressive numbers despite uneasiness in the city. Totals have been around $30m since 2013,
and those stable numbers don’t appear to be dropping anytime soon. Reporting a solid average-sale
price, number of lots and their always impressive sales rate, Barrett-Jackson’s cornerstone auction in
Vegas should have a slot in their lineup for years to come.
Recording their second-highest total at $15.7m — just $200k shy of their 2014 record — and their highest
headlines, it’s usually from
another dusty unearthed Shelby
Cobra or Aston Martin DB5 that
crossed the block for millions of
dollars. While entertaining, it
is hardly close to the “average”
auction purchase.
The Branson Auction seems
to have capitalized on the
overlooked meat and potatoes in
the auction world, as their average
sale price rarely goes over $25k.
They are further tapping into the
market by selling “gateway” cars
to younger buyers who are testing
the waters in the auction market.
Targeting younger buyers
is hardly a groundbreaking
strategy, but it’s refreshing for
their focus to be on the other end
of the $100k rarities. As they
continue to cement their reputation
for entry-level cars and a
user-friendly experience, Branson
will help nurture the next generation
of enthusiasts and reap the
rewards when they are ready to
put down big bucks for a car.
— Garrett Long

BARRETT-JACKSON // Las Vegas, NV
Barrett-Jackson —
Las Vegas 2017
Barrett-Jackson embraces, supports Las Vegas
after the tragedy in early October
BarrettJackson
Las Vegas, NV
October 19–20,
2017
Auctioneers:
Joseph Mast and
the Mast Auctioneers
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 671/675
Sales rate: 99%
Sales total:
$30,738,961
High sale: 2007
Shelby GT500 Super
Snake coupe, sold at
$1,000,000
buyer’s premium:
10%, included in sold
price
barrett-Jackson showed strong results in a town with heavy hearts
Report and photos by Travis Shetler
Market opinions in italics
ACC 1–6 scale
condition rating
for vehicles in
Market Reports
1. Perfect: National
show standard
2. excellent: Club
show-worthy, some
small flaws
3. Average: Daily driver
in decent condition
4. Meh: Still a driver,
with some visible flaws
5. Questionable: A
problem-plagued beast
that somehow
manages to run
6. Lost cause:
Salvageable for parts
72 AmericanCarCollector.com
B
arrett-Jackson scheduled their 10th Las Vegas
auction in mid-October at the Mandalay Bay
Resort just two weeks after a mass shooting
took place in that same location. There was
speculation that people would not feel safe
coming to Las Vegas, that tourism would plummet
and that the specific hotel involved would become an
empty shell. That was not the case. Las Vegas — my
home town — is unlike any other place. Hunter S.
Thompson’s description of the attorney in Fear and
Loathing in Las Vegas seems to suit it: “Too weird to
live, and too rare to die.”
While the Vegas attitude does not enable one to
make sense of the reality of life in modern America,
it can assist as we try to digest enough of the horror to
attempt to move forward. Pulling together as a community
is one of the most effective ways to deal with
horrific events. Barrett-Jackson did just that and faced
the post-shooting uncertainty head on. Barrett-Jackson
made their support a central theme of the auction.
President Steve Davis personally donated the high
sale car — a Shelby GT500 — at the event, designating
the proceeds to benefit Las Vegas first responders. This
was an early-production vehicle. Originally owned
by a former Ford CEO, the car was converted to a
40th Anniversary Super Snake when it was returned
to Shelby and, under Carroll Shelby’s supervision,
modified into a monster. The addition of a 600-plus
horsepower Super Snake motor was the most significant
change. With less than 1,000 miles and a lifetime of
pampering, the car was in perfect condition. It alone
raised $1,000,000 of the $1,640,000 in charity sales.
The atmosphere was thick with sorrow but full
of resolve. The son of a Barrett-Jackson regular was
killed in the shooting. In remembrance of the loss, an
empty chair was reserved in the front and covered with
flowers. In addition, virtually each person I spoke with
mentioned that no one wanted to allow the acts of one
mentally unsound individual to impact more lives than
those which had been unalterably changed.
Despite following so closely on the heels of tragedy,
Barrett-Jackson’s 2017 auction continued the company’s
success story in Las Vegas. The company reacted
immediately, strongly displaying the charitable spirit
which has always been a major part of the BarrettJackson
culture. A

Page 72

BARRETT-JACKSON // Las Vegas, NV
GM
#703-1953 BUICK SKYLARK convertible.
VIN: 16991019. White/black vinyl/red &
white leather. Odo: 6,384 miles. 322-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. This is an ultra-low-mileage,
all-original car that has been well preserved.
Paint and panel fit are excellent. There is
small pitting on some exterior chrome. Under
the hood, the engine bay shows small
evidence of corrosion. The interior is very
well preserved as well. Cond: 2+.
good condition. The panel fit is fair. Under
the hood, some items should have been
addressed before the sale. The interior has
more than just wear and cracking to the
leather. There are some model-specific trim
pieces that need replacing. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $93,500. Well bought at a price
on the low side of the current Pocket Price
Guide value. The buyer obtained an original
car with plenty of room to make a profit.
#705-1955 CADILLAC ELDORADO custom
convertible. VIN: 556282360. Mint &
Teal Pearl blend/white vinyl/white leather &
teal alligator. Odo: 1,108 miles. 502-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. This is a sectioned and chopped
Eldorado with many custom features, all
finished to a high standard. However, time
has obviously passed since the build. Excellent
pearl paint is showing some wear, especially
at the thresholds. The custom body
panels are all well finished and fit correctly.
The engine compartment shows well. Inside,
the leather and alligator interior is
missing driver’s seat finish button. This is a
great-looking, trimmed-down Eldorado.
Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $51,700. Well bought at a price
40% below the current price-guide value. I
reviewed this car in June of this year when
it was sold at RM Sotheby’s auction in
Santa Monica, where it crossed the block
with a hammer price of $71,500 (ACC#
6839869). At that time I rated it as a 2-. I
spent a good deal of time inspecting the car
this time and I have revised that rating. Just
13 miles have been added to the odometer
since the last sale and it does appear that
the driver’s side door alignment has been
addressed. The same very expensive needs
remain, but the new owner has more than
enough room to address most of the concerns.
5762059000. Amethyst/ white vinyl/black
leather. Odo: 16,270 miles. 365-ci V8, 2x4bbl,
auto. This is a stunning Biarritz. One of
the most sought-after convertible Eldorados.
Claimed to be one of five that left the factory
in this color—the paint is expertly applied
over a fully restored and well-aligned body.
The trim is replated or polished and the
glass is very good. There are just a few areas
that could be improved in the engine
compartment, but they are truly minor annoyances.
The interior is reupholstered to
concours levels. The dash gleams. Perhaps
the leather is too soft, but the look does not
detract. Cond: 1-.
10
#757-1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO
Biarritz convertible. VIN:
SOLD AT $41,800. Quite well bought. The
sales price was almost half of the current
price-guide market value. Previously sold at
Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction in
2008, where it sold for $79,200 (ACC#
1572838). The passage of a decade has
resulted in a considerable drop, but I have
no doubt that the buyer is very pleased.
#787-1957 CADILLAC ELDORADO
Brougham 4-dr hard top. VIN: 5770089009.
Dark silver & stainless steel/white &
black leather. Odo: 58,650 miles. 365-cc
V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. This Brougham is an eyecatching
car in an attractive color scheme.
The paint is in good condition, but there are
areas of touch-up. The glass and trim are in
74 AmericanCarCollector.com
#752-1962 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS lightweight
2-dr hard top. VIN: 21847S15 8537.
Black/red vinyl. Odo: 311 miles. 409-ci V8,
2x4-bbl, 4-sp. This is a perfectly restored
example of a rare “aluminum lightweight” car
designed by Chevrolet to go racing. One of
three known to exist out of a total of 16–18
actually built. The cars were produced without
soundproofing, seam sealer, radios or
heaters. The engine and aluminum front-clip
pieces were shipped separately for assembly.
This car is finished in excellent black
paint over well-aligned body panels. Under
the hood, the motor sits inside a well-executed
engine compartment. Inside, the interior
is as-new. This car is fully documented
and well presented. Cond: 1.
NOT SOLD AT $100,000. This car was one
of the few with a reserve and did not sell.
Previously seen at Mecum’s May 2017 auction
in Indianapolis, where it did not sell with
a high bid of $190,000 (ACC# 6837795).
There is little concern that the owner will
eventually be able to achieve a price that
will work. This factory racer is a rare car
with documented, winning history. This is as
good as it gets for a racing Impala; be patient,
seller.
#449-1969 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
Hurst/Olds replica convertible. VIN:
336679M241055. White w/gold stripes/
white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 86 miles. 455-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. This is a well-executed
Oldsmobile that was built into a Hurst Pace
Car. The paint is finished to a high standard
and the body panels fit very well. The trim
and glass are in very good condition. With
very close inspection, the rear bumper fit is
just slightly off. Under the hood, the heavily
accessorized 455 fills the engine compartment
from fender to fender. Inside the car,
SOLD AT $165,000. Very well sold at
nearly twice the current price-guide value.
The seller sold the car for well above market
value. However, the buyer obtained a
virtually perfect example of a great car in a
very rare color. The market will eventually
allow a profit for what is an excellent example
of the style and presence that Cadillac
convertible purchasers hope to obtain.
the interior is fully optioned and looks good.
There are very small wrinkles in the passenger’s
door panel that may not be worth addressing.
Cond: 1-. SOLD AT $33,000. Well
bought for half the price of an original example.
The seller must have more invested.
Hopefully the former owner had as much
TOP 10

Page 74

BARRETT-JACKSON // Las Vegas, NV
fun with the car as the new owner surely
will. The car was worth the price and should
maintain the value.
#780-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
SS 454 convertible. VIN: 136670L155913.
Cranberry Red/black vinyl/black vinyl.
Odo: 37,601 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
This big-block Chevelle looks good. Stated
to be the recipient of a frame-off restoration.
The paint is well applied, with a few chips
and runs. The trim has some scratches that
look much rougher than the overall car. The
engine compartment is properly detailed
and appears showroom-fresh. The convertible-top
fit is off on the driver’s side. Inside,
the interior looks good, but there are small
issues that need to be addressed, such as
the carpet in the rear and at the door post.
Cond: 2+.
sporting a new cover. This low-mileage car
carries all factory sheet metal and many
speed-related options. Cond: 1-. SOLD AT
$198,000. Well sold at roughly twice above
the current price-guide value. One of Chevrolet’s
most desirable muscle cars in spectacular
condition.
#409-1979 PONTIAC TRANS AM 10th Anniversary
Edition coupe. VIN: 2X87Z9L158353.
Silver/silver leather. Odo: 17,602
miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. This 10th Anniversary
Trans Am has under 20,000 miles
and looks to have been well kept. The factory
paint is good. There are some swirl
marks showing through on the passenger’s
side. Weatherstripping is cracked and dry.
The long and heavy doors open and close
very nicely, unlike most F-body cars available
today. Under the hood, the 400 is
stock. Inside is a sea of gray and silver. The
interior is in excellent condition with only
slight evidence of use. Cond: 2.
where the upholstery needs to be adjusted.
Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $67,100. Well bought and sold at
a price approximately 20% below the priceguide
market value. The non-original drivetrain
may be what kept the car from
reaching the price of a factory-built-Fuelie.
This was a very attractive car that was finished
to a good standard. Both parties
should be pleased with the hammer price.
SOLD AT $66,000. This car was very well
bought, well below the current price-guide
value. This car was offered at Russo and
Steele’s Monterey auction in August of this
year, where it did not sell at $55,000 (ACC#
6846498). The car has traveled 60 miles
since then and it appears that the same
issues were present at that time. There is
lots of room here for the buyer to make an
immediate profit and even a good profit if
everything is addressed. It would seem that
there is no reason not to take the car out
and enjoy it in the meantime; the cruising
experience would be well worth delaying the
repairs until selling.
136370 B158636. Astro Blue/ black vinyl.
Odo: 57,856 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
This is a very sharp, all-original LS6. The
paint is very good, with some small cracking
at the leading edge of the fender. The glass
and trim are very good. Under the Cowl Induction
hood, the engine looks completely
original, with some evidence of use. Inside,
the interior is good. There is a small crack in
the steering wheel, and the dash may be
7
#738-1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
SS 454 2-dr hard top. VIN:
SOLD AT $44,000. Very well sold 50% over
the price-guide value. This car was sold for
$41,800 (ACC# 6789009) at Barrett-Jackson’s
2015 Las Vegas auction. The
F-bodies have been doing well for a few
years. These were some of the most powerful
cars Detroit offered during their time, and
pop culture was saturated with them well
into the ’80s. I have heard the siren song of
these cars and found it quite challenging to
resist. The new owner should get this one
out and enjoy it a bit. As long as the originality
and condition are maintained, there
should be plenty of enjoyment and also a
positive return on the investment in the future.
The best of both worlds.
CORVETTE
#697-1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: E57S100848. Aztec Bronze/
beige leather. Odo: 4 miles. 283-ci 283-hp
fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. Wears an attractive
color scheme and sits with a high stance.
The car is an undocumented Fuelie. The
paint is well applied over a body that has
been properly prepared. There are panel-fit
issues that one expects to see on these
early fiberglass cars and it is in the areas
where panels come together that one sees
chipping and wear to the painted finish. The
glass and trim are all in good condition on
both the car and the hard top. The engine
compartment needs attention, both cleaning
and painting. Inside, the interior is finished
in a pleasant light beige. There are places
76 AmericanCarCollector.com
#681-1961 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 10867S109937. Tuxedo
Black/red vinyl. Odo: 42,001 miles. 283-ci
315-hp fuel-injected V8, 4-sp. This blackon-red
Corvette includes the hard top. A
fuel-injected motor rated at 315 horsepower
has been added to the car. The paint is very
well applied, and combined with the black
sidewalls and poverty caps on steel wheels,
the car has a mildly sinister appearance.
Under the hood, the fuel-injection assembly
adds to the street-racer look. The interior is
finished to a very high standard. This car
was the subject of a $100,000 build, and the
receipts and documentation are included
with the car. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $58,300. Well bought and sold at
less than two-thirds of the current priceguide
value. As with Lot 697 (another converted
Fuelie Corvette), the modified cars
rarely achieve the value of factory-built cars.
This buyer received a very attractive Corvette
that will draw admirers wherever it
goes. If the car was bought to enjoy, the
owner will be very pleased.
#717-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 194677S115763. Rally Red
w/black stinger/black vinyl/black leather.
Odo: 57,412 miles. 427-ci 435-hp V8, 3x2bbl,
4-sp. This is a very well-presented bigblock
Corvette. The paint is high quality; the
panel fit is a bit off but appears factory-correct.
The trim is in good condition and the
aluminum wheels and sidepipes complete
the look. Under the hood, the intake manifold
is the only item that shows evidence of
TOP 10
BEST
BUY

Page 76

BARRETT-JACKSON // Las Vegas, NV
use, but more detailing could have been
done. Inside, the interior is in good condition.
Cond: 2+.
factory-air car has a good interior with little
to detract visually. Cond: 2.
has some wear evident and the windowcrank
handle should be picked up from the
floor and properly attached. This is a heavily
optioned car in good period colors. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $82,500. Well bought at significantly
less than the current price-guide market
value. Previously seen at Mecum’s
Dallas auction in September 2017, the car
did not sell at a high bid of $80,000 (ACC#
6849692). Whether the seller got tired of
waiting or just decided that the similarity of
the back-to-back auction bids was more
reflective of the market, the buyer obtained
a collectible car with great marketability, all
for a price that ensures a good profit.
#700-1967 CHEVROLET CORVETTE custom
coupe. VIN: 194377S115790. Silver/
black leather. Odo: 1,173 miles. 6.2-L 430hp
fuel-injected V8, 5-sp. This very goodlooking
’67 coupe is sort of a resto-mod.
The claimed-original drivetrain is included in
the sale, but the drivetrain installed is a
modern LS3 motor and 5-speed transmission.
The suspension has been upgraded
as well. Quality paint has been applied to a
body with very good panel fit. Trim is asnew
and all of the glass has been replaced.
The car sits on modern aluminum rims that
appear as original alloys. Under the hood,
the modern motor is surprising at first, but it
fits well inside the engine bay. Inside, this
SOLD AT $148,500. Very well sold. The
sale price is double the current price-guide
market value. The seller likely was able to
make a profit and the buyer received a
more modern driving experience in a very
desirable classic. It would be surprising if
the buyer could recapture the full price if the
car were to be sold in the near future. However,
it is likely that the car was purchased
to be driven and enjoyed. The performance
combined with the look should keep the
new owner happy.
FOMOCO
#425-1956 FORD CROWN VICTORIA Skyliner
custom 2-dr sedan. VIN: P6DW197060.
Pink & black/pink & white vinyl. Odo:
1,352 miles. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. This car
was converted from a hard top to a Skyliner
with the green-tinted plexiglass roof that was
available. The paint is finished to a good
standard. The body fits together well, but
there is a hole through the rear of the hood.
There are some issues with the alignment of
the very extended Continental kit at the rear.
Some of the chrome trim is pitting and should
be addressed. The engine compartment
needs a heavy detailing. Inside, the interior
SOLD AT $34,100. Well bought for considerably
less than a factory-built car. There
are plenty of Crown Victoria enthusiasts,
and the color scheme on the car, combined
with the numerous options, make it marketable.
The new owner can enjoy cruising and
likely will recover most of the purchase price
and may be able to make a small profit.
#457.1-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: D7FH248054. Red/red
leather. Odo: 39,104 miles. 312-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. This is a well-put-together car. The
paint has been well applied to a properly
prepped body with well-fitted panels. The
engine compartment is correct. Inside, the
very attractive interior is done correctly.
There is some staining to the headliner in
the hard top that should have been addressed
and makes one wonder where the
water is coming in from. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $51,700. This car was well sold
and the seller should be pleased. It was
previously sold at Leake’s Tulsa sale in
2014, where it changed hands for $44,000
(ACC# 6715656). I spoke with the buyers
and they were extremely happy with their
purchase. They intend to drive and enjoy
the car—the perfect plan.
#792-1962 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL 4-dr
convertible. VIN: 2Y86H419488. Presidential
Black/black cloth/red leather. Odo:
42,790 miles. 430-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. This is
a very attractive Continental. Claimed to be
a low-mileage vehicle that was restored in
2012 and stored since. The paint is very
good and the trim and grille gleam. There
are some dings in the trim and a piece of
trim missing from the chrome emblem
across the trunk. The glass is good, but the
left rear window is a bit loose. Under the
hood, the engine compartment is detailed
but could use a bit of attention. The interior
78 AmericanCarCollector.com

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BARRETT-JACKSON // Las Vegas, NV
is also finished to a good standard, with
some wear showing. Cond: 2+.
some evidence of aging and pitting. Under
the hood, the engine compartment is completely
correct and well detailed. Inside, the
car has some evidence of aging. The rearseat
armrest side panels are fading. The
original Autolite carburetor has been rebuilt
and is included, but the car is currently utilizing
a Holley. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $67,100. Very well sold at a price
half again over the current price-guide
value. This car was sold at the Russo and
Steele Scottsdale auction in 2012 for
$55,000 (ACC# 4775754). It seems some of
the concerns have been addressed since
then. These cars will always be popular, as
their look is unique and easy on the eye.
This buyer may have been able to find a
slightly better car, but over time, there is a
good chance for a profit.
#435-1965 FORD MUSTANG convertible.
VIN: 5F08A728546. Silver blue/white vinyl/
Palomino vinyl. Odo: 44,146 miles. 289-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. This is a great-looking and
full-optioned Mustang in a sharp color combination.
The paint is well done and the
body panels fit together nicely. Inside the
engine compartment, there is some evidence
of use, and detailing is in order.
There is a fit issue at the right rear of the
convertible top. The interior is also well finished
and the only option that seems to be
missing is the console. The right-rear-window
felt needs to be addressed and there is
one wire running a bit low under the dash.
One solid morning of attention is all this car
really needs. Cond: 2+.
a reserve that was not met. The price guide
puts the current value of a Heritage GT at
nearly $400,000. The seller should eventually
get the price sought. There is almost
always a GT at any major auction, but the
edition offered here is rarely seen.
SOLD AT $49,500. Well bought; this sold
right at the current market value. The buyer
received a very nice example of a car that
will always be collectible. There is little to do
here to make the car 100% correct, and it
should provide good value in the future.
During the wait, there is no reason not to
drive and enjoy the car, as it will bring plenty
of smiles and compliments.
#747-1970 SHELBY GT500 convertible.
VIN: 0F03R482603. Grabber Yellow
& black/white vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
93,161 miles. 428-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored
to factory specs. An attractive Shelby
GT500 convertible. Extensive paperwork
documents that this is one of six finished in
this color. The paint is fault-free and the
panels fit very well. The hood reveals an
engine compartment with a few areas that
should be addressed and repainted. Inside,
there are some indicators of wear at the
driver’s seat and on the console, where
some of the wood-grained vinyl is coming
up. Cond: 1.
S375200007. Blue w/white stripes/black
leather. Odo: 900 miles. 5.4-L supercharged
V8, 6-sp. This is essentially a new GT500
that has been given the Super Snake upgrade
by Shelby. The paint is unblemished
and the trim is excellent. The white stripes
are claimed to be the only ones authorized
by Carroll Shelby. Under the hood, the supercharged
motor fills the engine bay, which
looks like it was just built. The interior is
also excellent, with Super Snake embroidery
and badges on every surface. The car
was originally a Ford development vehicle
that was used by Shelby to develop the
40th Anniversary package, which is documented
in a book that is included in the
sale. Barrett-Jackson President Steve Davis
acquired the car in 2008. He announced
just days after the mass shooting in Las
Vegas that he was going to sell the car and
100% of the proceeds are going to Las Vegas
first responders to show support.
Cond: 1.
2
#3004-2007 SHELBY GT500 Super
Snake coupe. VIN: 1ZVHT88-
SOLD AT $50,600. Well sold at a price almost
twice as high as the current priceguide
value. This car is an example of what
can happen when the right buyers find an
eye-catching car. While a bit more than top
dollar was paid, the car may still be able to
turn a profit in the future. The car was
something other than red, and it presented
so well that it has appeal for more than just
Mustang buyers.
#801-1968 FORD MUSTANG GT fastback.
VIN: 8F02J187866. Candy Apple Red/dark
red vinyl. Odo: 90,661 miles. 302-ci V8,
4-bbl, auto. This is a fully restored GT in an
attractive red-on-red color combination. The
car is an MCA Gold winner, earning 693 out
of 700 points. The paint has been finished
to an excellent standard and the body panels
are all correctly aligned. The trim has
80 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $137,500. Well bought at a price
well below the current price-guide value.
The rarity and condition will allow for a good
sale at any time the new owner desires. The
collectibility of these cars in this condition is
very high. Good buy.
#749-2006 FORD GT Heritage Edition
coupe. VIN: 1FAFP90S56Y401765. Gulf
Blue & Orange/black leather. Odo: 1,909
miles. 5.4-L supercharged V8, 6-sp. A very
low-mileage Heritage GT. Finished in the
same fashion as the GT40 that beat Ferrari
in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1969
race, the car is complete down to the stickers.
The paint and panel fit are factoryfresh.
The rear tips up to reveal an as-built
engine compartment. Inside, the somewhat
retro interior is free from flaws. Cond: 1-.
NOT SOLD AT $350,000. This car carried
SOLD AT $1,000,000. Extemely well sold.
The unique Shelby history and documentation
included with the charity car would allow
investors to make a similar purchase
with confidence of a future return. The
seven-figure sales price attained is only
explained by the response to the madness
of the Las Vegas shooting. The purchaser
stated that they really wanted to display
their support for Las Vegas and the first
responders.
#676-2016 FORD MUSTANG GT Neiman
Marcus Edition convertible. VIN: 1FATP8FF0G5253888.
Blue & gray/gray vinyl/
black leather. Odo: 73 miles. 5.0-L supercharged
V8, 6-sp. This is an unusual—but
good-looking—custom Mustang. It has been
BEST
BUY
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BARRETT-JACKSON // Las Vegas, NV
given a supercharged Roush motor generating
727 horsepower. The car has a hard
tonneau cover over the rear seat that combines
with the body cladding to give the car
a muscular appearance. This car is new. It
is difficult to find any flaws or concerns on
either the outside of the car or in the interior.
The suspension has been upgraded to
accept the additional power from the revised
powerplant. Cond: 1-.
#766-1970 PLYMOUTH SUPERBIRD 2-dr
hard top. VIN: RM23V0A172636. White/
black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 77,339 miles.
426-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. This Superbird has
good paint. There are a number of areas
where panel fit is an issue, but this is not
uncommon. The trim is in good condition,
but there are fit issues at the rear bumper
and the tailpipes are uneven. The weatherstripping
is tired and torn in places. Under
the hood, the original 440 Six Pack has
been replaced with a 426 Hemi which sits in
less than the sum of its parts. Superbird
buyers expect their cars to be correct, and
this was likely top money for an altered car.
#687-1970 DODGE CHALLENGER T/A
2-dr hard top. VIN: JH23J0B291213. Banana
Yellow/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
183 miles. 340-ci V8, 3x2-bbl, auto. This is
a good-looking Challenger T/A. The paint is
finished to a high standard and the body
panels fit together well. The hood, however,
needs to be adjusted. The glass and
chrome look very good. Under the hood, the
Six Pack-topped 340 sits inside of a welldetailed
engine compartment. The interior
has some general wear but looks very nice.
The colors and condition of this car draw
you in. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $58,300. Well bought at a price
that the buyer clearly felt was right. The
value acquired is well in excess of the high
bid, but it will be challenging to recoup the
purchase price. The question is, now what?
Store it away for the future or drive and enjoy
a very entertaining vehicle? To my mind,
the latter is the only option that makes
sense.
MOPAR
9
#770-1970 DODGE CHARGER
custom 2-dr hard top. VIN: XS29U0G159815.
Metallic Charcoal/black
leather. 6.1-L fuel-injected V8, 6-sp. This is
a stunning custom Charger build. The former
SEMA show car is a combination of the
classic Charger shape with updated features
and styling cues from the modern
Challenger. In addition to flush-mount glass,
there is a late-model Challenger taillight
panel at the rear. The chrome is all painted
in the body color and makes for a sinister
appearance. The paint is well applied over a
very straight body. The engine compartment
is spotless, with the Hemi motor nestled
neatly inside. The suspension is from a C6
Corvette. The interior is fully updated and
fresh. The car proudly wears the stated investment
of $380,000. Cond: 1.
an engine compartment that has areas
where the paint is missing or tired. The interior
is presentable, with a Tic-Toc-Tach in
the dash. There is some fading and scuffing
on seat from rubbing the door. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $132,000. Well sold at a price
that may be hard to duplicate. This is below
the current market value for a 440 Six Pack
car and less than half of the current priceguide
value for a true Hemi. It is unusual to
find a Superbird without issues, and the car
sold was a presentable example. The engine
exchange resulted in a car worth a bit
SOLD AT $71,500. Well sold at a price 10%
above the current price-guide value. Previously
seen at Barrett-Jackson’s Las Vegas
auction in 2015, where the car sold for
$40,700 (ACC# 6788741). The increase in
price is remarkable. It would likely be attributed
to the bidders in the room as opposed
to any real market shift. A
SOLD AT $176,000. This car was well
bought and sold. Well below the amount
invested—this is an excellent return on a
custom car. The buyer also managed to
obtain one of the most iconic silhouettes of
the muscle car era combined with a thoroughly
modern look, drivetrain and suspension.
It is unlikely that the buyer will be able
to make a profit, but the driving enjoyment
and curb appeal will be hard to match.
January–February 2018 81
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RM SOTHEBY’S // Hershey, PA
RM Sotheby’s — Hershey
With a boost from the impressive Derro Collection, RM
Sotheby’s has one of their best Hershey sales yet
RM
Sotheby’s
Hershey, PA
October 5, 2017
Auctioneer:
Brent Earlywine
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 129/136
Sales rate: 95%
Sales total:
$15,719,650
High sale: 1933
Pierce-Arrow Silver
Arrow sedan, sold at
$2,310,000
buyer’s premium:
10%, included in sold
prices
one of the vehicles offered from the Derro Collection — 1932 Duesenberg Model J Town Car sedan,
sold at $594,000
Report and photos by Larry Trepel
Market opinions in italics
ACC 1-6 scale
condition rating
for vehicles in
Market Reports
1. Perfect: National
show standard
2. excellent: Club
show-worthy, some
small flaws
3. Average: Daily driver
in decent condition
4. Meh: Still a driver,
with some visible flaws
5. Questionable: A
problem-plagued beast
that somehow
manages to run
6. Lost cause:
Salvageable for parts
82 AmericanCarCollector.com
mix of hot rod and drag cars from the estate of Ralph
Whitworth, and a collection of six moderately valued
but meticulously restored and preserved Fords from
the estate of Don Gibson. Focusing on pre-war-era
cars, there were impressive Packards, Pierce-Arrows,
Locomobiles, Cadillacs, Cords and other American
icons.
While there were plenty of pre-war American auc-
R
tion staples, there were also many cars over a century
old not often seen at today’s auctions. These included
a beautiful 1910 Stanley sold at $121k, a 1916 PierceArrow
38-C4 at $154k and a fantastic 1904 Holsman
“High-Wheel” that sold for $35k. The challenge of
maintaining and driving these turn-of-the-20th-century
pioneers likely keeps their prices modest, but it’s
good to see there are still enough dedicated collectors
willing to own them for fun and not much profit.
Then there was the grand finale: the Derro
Collection. Derro’s 12 cars ranged from fairly common
to the pinnacle of American design, most of them
perfectly preserved older restorations in spectacular
condition. The collection featured ’40s convertibles,
M Sotheby’s annual Hershey auction was
exceptionally exciting this year, with the
highly anticipated no-reserve sale of the
Thomas J. Derro Collection. There were
also two other interesting collections — a
woodie wagons, ’50s icons and two unusual and stunning
Duesenbergs.
Usually, a Duesenberg is the star of a collection,
but in this case everyone was waiting for the 1933
Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow to descend onstage. All
were wondering, would this example — with an even
newer restoration than the Silver Arrow that sold at
RM Sotheby’s in 2015 for $3.7m — top the $3m high
estimate? In my opinion, the Silver Arrow deserves to
be among the most highly recognized designs of all
time. At one time, the three that remain were all in the
Blackhawk Collection, but future access to the public
is unknown. It will certainly be a shame if they are
now all out of reach. The car sold at $2.3m.
With sales totaling $15.7m, this year’s number was
significantly up from last year’s $11.5m. In 2015, sales
were also impressive at just under $16m (13 more lots
offered, and 14 more sold). It will be a challenge for
RM Sotheby’s to keep this sales level going, and to
find such a remarkable collection as the one amassed
by Derro. But each year, this auction stands as a testament
to the remarkable pre-war cars designed and built
in America. They are different than their European
competitors, but just as ingenious, innovative and
artistically built as the iconic cars from Europe that
are sometimes admired (and often purchased) at a
higher level. A

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RM SOTHEBY’S // Hershey, PA
CLASSICS
#163-1919 APPERSON 8-19 Anniversary
tourer. VIN: 19686. Eng. # 22035. Red/
black vinyl/red leather. Odo: 17,115 miles.
Very presentable overall. Mid-quality paintwork,
no peeling or crackling on body or
fenders, but inconsistent texture with a few
scuffs. Some body panels a bit wavy. Much
elbow grease spent to bring brass parts up
to maximum auction shine. Wheels appear
recently repainted, tires all in good shape.
Interior very livable with beautiful, comfortable-looking
seats that I believe are faithful
to original configuration. Dash simple and in
decent condition, steering wheel patinated.
Engine has some crudely repainted pieces,
but overall tidy. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $132,000. Very impressive to
view, and while rebody may limit its value a
bit, the workmanship and level of restoration
were something to be admired. I did drive
behind it one afternoon, and noticed a fair
amount of gray smoke, so let’s hope it was
a temporary situation. If so, then I’d say it
was well bought.
2514. Eng. # J497. Metallic aqua/gray
leather & brocade cloth. Odo: 55,042 miles.
Another superb car from the Derro Collection.
Body by J. Gerald Kirchoff. Older restoration
from the 1980s, purchased by Derro
in 1999, and still appearing in near-flawless
condition today. Rear interior fabric faithful
reproduction of original. Body, paint and
chrome all top-tier. One spot of paint peeling
behind spare tire, and one rear tire has
yellowing whitewall. Cond: 1.
3
#259-1932 DUESENBERG
MODEL J Town Car sedan. VIN:
choice, it was a pleasure to view. Selling
slightly below the low estimate, it seemed
well bought considering provenance and
restoration cost.
GM
SOLD AT $24,750. Going to Hershey
means you’ll always see some pre-war
brands you’ve never heard of. Obscurity
can add value for some bidders. With just a
few of these remaining, it’s unlikely you’ll
ever lose first place in the Apperson Class
at a concours. The V8 engine adds an extra
element of exotica, as does the Apperson
Jackrabbit grille badge. At just under $25k,
I’d call this Apperson well bought.
#266-1929 STEARNS-KNIGHT J-8-90
tourer. VIN: J11926. Red & black/black
cloth/black leather. Odo: 12,999 miles.
Striking red and black paint scheme. Complete
restoration not many years ago, with
original sedan body replaced by a re-created
touring body. Some sections of original
body purportedly used to build new body.
Paint and panel work beautifully done. Superb
wood everywhere, with running boards
exceptionally striking. Perhaps a bit heavy
with the lacquer on dashboard wood and
steering wheel. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $594,000. Stately, massive Duesenberg
from an era when your car designer
could then become your chauffeur.
They toured together in this Duesenberg
throughout Europe. Nimble it is not, but it
will make a fine piece to display at automotive
concours and fabric shows. Purchased
at Christie’s 1999 auction for $277k (ACC#
1535413), it sold below low estimate here,
but still, a sale price of $594k is an appropriate
profit. My guess is it may be up for auction
again when the excitement of buying it
wears off and owner is faced with reality of
maintaining and preserving it. Well bought,
though.
Eng. # J519. Two-tone blue/blue cloth/blue
leather. Odo: 72,838 miles. Second restoration
late-’90s by previous owner, acquired
by Derro in 2000. Perfect in and out, featuring
magnificent Belgian coachwork by
D’Ieteren. Could not find a single flaw to
complain about. Driver’s seat displays just a
hint of breaking-in—a plus, not a flaw. The
engine is just as stunning as the car, with
perfect polishing and paintwork. Maybe
should have been auctioned separately.
Cond: 1. SOLD AT $1,485,000. The backup
star in the Derro Collection, this Duesenberg
was notable for more subtle and
graceful styling than one often sees in Duesenbergs.
Combined with the striking color
1
#262-1935 DUESENBERG
MODEL J cabriolet. VIN: 2548.
84 AmericanCarCollector.com
#144-1955 CHEVROLET BEL AIR Nomad
wagon. VIN: VC55L031515. Coral &
Shadow Gray Metallic/coral & black vinyl.
Odo: 782,399 miles. 265-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto.
Beautiful, painstaking restoration done in
early 2000s. Paint and chrome showing little
wear since restoration. I only see a few tiny
bubbles on the roof and slight corrosion on
wheel edges. Passenger’s door and rear
hatch panel gaps slightly off. Engine compartment
tidy but not Pebble Beach-clean.
An afternoon would take care of that. Transmission
stated as recently rebuilt. Underbody
as good as expected; a little dirt
means actual use. Inside as impressive as
the outside, with worn paint on steering
wheel more evidence of some miles since
restoration. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $60,500. As good as it gets restoration-wise,
this ’55 Chevy wagon was
one of the most enjoyable lots to view.
Great color choice, no expense spared on
restoration, a bit of use evident, which
opens the door for the new owner to use it
even more. At this price level there isn’t
much money to lose by racking up some
miles. Sold at present market value, but as
a wagon worshipper, I rate it an excellent
buy compared to many other cars out there
going for far more.
FOMOCO
8
9005. Blue metallic/ white cloth/blue leather.
Odo: 18,525 miles. From the collection of
the late Ralph Whitworth. Restored twice,
once by previous owner, and then by Whitworth
to purportedly as close as possible to
#173-1932 FORD V8 Pete Henderson
Hot Rod roadster. VIN: DRF9-
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RM SOTHEBY’S // Hershey, PA
the original ’40s hot rod build. Paint finish
superb, wire wheels and other elements all
look virtually new. Appropriately simple interior,
with everything in just-restored condition.
Chrome-ring steering wheel, bench
seat and white cloth top. Cond: 1-.
468 miles. 312-ci supercharged V8, 3-sp.
Restored in the 1980s. Just 468 miles on
the odometer, and stunning condition supports
mileage as accurate. Paint and body
panels as good as it gets on a Thunderbird
of this era. Door fit—often problematic—is
excellent. Top fabric looks new, and is fitted
perfectly. Front bumper appeared slightly
angled on passenger’s side. Interior perfect.
Undercarriage shows no road use at all.
Surprisingly, no hard top included, normally
a staple with high-end Thunderbirds.
Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $77,000. I was 20 years off
guessing when it was restored. As a later
Town & Country, not as valuable as earlier
models because of faux-wood mixed with
real wood framing. These have become a
bit of an auction staple, perhaps more sellers
than buyers, but the wood on many examples
will have aging flaws. Here was a
chance to buy perfection for a reasonable
price. Well bought.
SOLD AT $192,500. Historic hot rod linked
to Pete Henderson, this Ford deuce is most
famous for winning a quarter-mile race
against a horse. Photo taken of this race
illustrates the power one image can have (I
thought the horse won by a hoof, but too
late to challenge). Enough to make this neat
Highboy sell for $192.5k. Well sold. (See
profile, p. 58.)
#229-1947 FORD SUPER DELUXE Club
convertible. VIN: 043H47207395. Yellow/
black cloth/red vinyl & beige cloth. Odo:
1,066 miles. 239-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Complete
older restoration early 1980s. Just
1,066 miles since restoration. Body and
paint still immaculate. Panel, doors and
hood fit all good, trunk fit slightly off. Dash,
steering wheel, seats all appear near new.
Underbody perfect, every chassis and mechanical
piece appears new. Engine
compartment almost as good, with just the
slightest evidence of use. Cond: 1-.
#257-1957 DESOTO ADVENTURER convertible.
VIN: 50417133. Eng. # S26A2127.
Black & Gold/black cloth/Adventurer Gold
Poly. Odo: 66,728 miles. 375-ci V8, 2x4-bbl,
auto. First-class restoration, completed in
1998. Mostly holding up well, with rich paint
and chrome—interior still dazzling. But
there is some paint micro-bubbling on rear
fenders, a few cracks in the steering wheel,
imperfections in the dashpad and whitewalls
turning yellow. Engine is near new-looking,
as is underbody. Factory a/c a big plus.
Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $148,500. When I first looked at
this Thunderbird, I assumed it was recently
restored. I was shocked to learn it was restored
in the ’80s. Even with little use, restorations
that old often start to show some
aging in the paint, interior materials and
chrome. This car has ignored that, and indeed
looked better than many T-birds with
restorations just a few years old. No-reserve
bidding stalled early, but a couple of people
must have realized what a tremendous steal
it would be and picked it back up. At just
under $150k, I’d call it well bought—assuming
it runs as good as it looks.
MOPAR
SOLD AT $42,900. One of six Fords offered
from the collection of the late Don Gibson,
all stunning restorations at no reserve. Almost
hard to believe this Super Deluxe was
restored back in the ’80s; I could find no
wear from the hands of time. Perhaps Don
stored it in his living room. While the market
has declined a bit on these recently, it still
sold below the slightly conservative estimate
of $50k–$60k. I’d call it very well
bought.
#267-1957 FORD THUNDERBIRD F-code
convertible. VIN: F7FH347632. Starmist
Blue/dark blue cloth/blue & white vinyl. Odo:
86 AmericanCarCollector.com
#260-1949 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY
convertible. VIN: 7410951. Eng. #
C2623190. Indian Maroon/burgundy vinyl/
red leather & beige cloth. Odo: 9,873 miles.
324-ci I8, 1-bbl, auto. Another time-capsule
from the Derro Collection. Appears recently
restored, but description states work done
in 1991. Purchased by Derro in 2006, postAmelia
Concours appearance. Paint, body,
wood, chrome and glass are all near perfection.
Undercarriage appears as-new. Only
flaw I found was slight pitting on chrome
instrument surrounds. Cond: 1-.
SOLD AT $126,500. As stunning as 99% of
this car is, the problems noted above meant
I had to assign it a 2+ instead of a 1-. Still,
they are minor flaws (depending on the extent
of the paint problem) compared to the
outstanding restoration work and overall
condition of this rare DeSoto. I’d call it well
bought, an exciting convertible for the new
owner. (See profile, p. 56.)
#258-1961 CHRYSLER 300G convertible.
VIN: 8413114289. Mardi Gras Red/black
cloth/tan leather. Odo: 7,557 miles. 413-ci
V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. Spectacular all around.
Paint perfect, no blemishes or crackling.
Chrome as good as paint. Interior—with
those countless chrome dash pieces—is
near perfection. Driver’s seat bottom showing
some minor signs of use. Engine and
undercarriage are also basically new-looking.
Cond: 1.
SOLD AT $148,500. With just 57 miles on
odometer, appears that Mr. Derro basically

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RM SOTHEBY’S // Hershey, PA
never drove this 300G since buying it restored
in 2009. Maybe he just sat in it in his
garage a lot, which would explain the look
of the driver’s seat. These are difficult cars
to get perfectly right—this must be among
the very best Chrysler 300s in the world
today. Sold close to the high end of the estimate,
but I’d still call it well bought.
AMERICANA
#152-1916 PIERCE-ARROW MODEL 38
C-4 tourer. VIN: 36793. Eng. # 2402. Red
& black/black cloth/tan leather. RHD. Odo:
49,704 miles. Excellent older restoration,
still holding up well. Paint on body and fenders
very nicely done. Dash, interior, gauges
all as they should be. Top cloth excellent.
Undercarriage still clean. A few cracks in
wheel spokes and surface corrosion on exhaust
system were the only things my picky
side could come up with. Cond: 2+.
SOLD AT $407,000. First up from the Derro
Collection, this Packard Darrin had striking
stage presence. Perhaps it was the fact that
it appeared in the “Banacek” television series
back in the ’70s. Whatever the reason,
it sold for what seemed like an appropriate
price. Remarkable that an almost 30-yearold
restoration can still appear this good.
#113-1946 DIVCO DELIVERY TRUCK
Model U utility. VIN: UM36546. Yellow/
black vinyl seat & white paint. Odo: 33,686
miles. I4, 1-bbl, manual. Classic old-world
milk-delivery truck, restored at some point.
Paint as nice as it needs to be, with “Rosenberger’s
Dairies” nicely scripted. Body
straight and no evidence of rust. Interior just
a metal compartment with original storage
cabinet up front. Engine dreary but not terrible.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $154,000. This beautiful PierceArrow
38 has the innovative air-spring system,
with imposing black cylinders sitting
fore and aft. One of the most magnificent
cars of this era, in my eyes. If you’re willing
to not have the largest Pierce-Arrow in the
neighborhood, the sale price of $154k is a
relative bargain compared to the monstrous
Model 66. An older restoration that continues
to shine. Fairly bought and sold.
014. Eng. # D508239B. Burgundy/tan cloth/
tan leather. Odo: 8,892 miles. Meticulous
older restoration finished early ’90s. Paint,
chrome, interior, everything still appears
recently restored. Engine has a few paint
chips. The clock was also not working correctly.
Cond: 1.
4
#254-1941 PACKARD SUPER
EIGHT convertible. VIN: 14292-
SOLD AT $25,300. This nostalgic truck had
as many viewers as the Silver Arrow. That’s
as much attention for $2,285,000 less cash.
I considered buying it to deliver almond
milk—one of mankind’s great advancements.
Fairly bought and sold.
cloth/red & white leather. Odo: 57 miles.
315-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored around
2006. Shows just 57 miles on odometer.
Paint and bodywork up to high Derro standards.
Glass, chrome, interior fittings all
superb. Undercarriage as new as expected.
Engine new. Flaws were passenger’s door
fit slightly off, and door top pad was loose.
Hubcap center logos delaminating.
Cond: 1-.
5
#264-1957 DUAL-GHIA D-500
convertible. VIN: 125. Red/black
SOLD AT $341,000. One of the few cars in
Derro’s collection restored under his ownership,
but has rarely been driven over the
past decade, based on the mileage. Sold
well above the estimate of $200k–$250k,
with buyer getting a 10-year-old new restoration.
A
88 AmericanCarCollector.com
TOP 10
TOP 10

Page 88

THE BRANSON AUCTION // Branson, MO
The Branson Auction —
Fall 2017
The Branson Auction targets bidders new and old
with a variety of American examples
The Branson
Auction
Branson, MO
October 20, 2017
Auctioneers: Brent
Earlywine, Jeff Knosp
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 187/249
Sales rate: 75%
Sales total:
$3,340,695
High American sale:
1969 Plymouth GTX
Hemi 2-door hard top,
sold at $82,500
buyer’s premium:
10%, included in sold
prices
1963 Studebaker hawk GT 2-door hard top, sold at $13,200
ACC 1-6 scale
condition rating
for vehicles in
Market Reports
1. Perfect: National
show standard
2. excellent: Club
show-worthy, some
small flaws
3. Average: Daily driver
in decent condition
4. Meh: Still a driver,
with some visible flaws
5. Questionable: A
problem-plagued beast
that somehow
manages to run
6. Lost cause:
Salvageable for parts
90 AmericanCarCollector.com
Report and photos by Andy Staugaard
Market opinions in italics
10th anniversary, and the auction included a 1956
Thunderbird that raised $27k for the Vintage Car Rally
Association — an organization that benefits autism
awareness and educational programs.
The Branson Auction did a great job assembling
I
a variety of cars in a multitude of states. Most of the
venue consisted of American muscle from the golden
years of the ’50s and ’60s. There were also over 60
cars offered at no reserve, including a Chevy collection.
Another collection offered at no reserve consisted
of 12 cars including a 1970 Mustang Boss 302 that was
sold for $62.7k and a 1923 Franklin Racer that found
its way to a buyer for $6.6k.
t was a great weekend for Jim and Kathy Cox,
owners of the Branson Auction, as the 10th year
of the Fall auction at the Branson Convention
Center closed with 75% of 249 cars sold.
They had a pre-sale reception to celebrate the
Branson works hard to attract younger bidders.
Jim and Kathy have a long-term goal of listing several
“gateway cars” in their auction that can be purchased
at reasonable prices and restored. This is a great way
to attract new bidders wanting to get into the market
without getting in over their heads. In addition, Jim
has done YouTube videos of the cars at auction, explaining
their history and features. This has attracted a
large number of younger bidders internationally, with
one live stream receiving 76,000 viewers.
Another interesting service offered by Branson
is for those who want to liquidate their collections.
Branson Auction offers a program that picks up your
car, services it to get it running and road worthy, and
then sells it at the auction. Many older collectors have
taken advantage of this hassle-free program.
If you want to get in on the action, the next
Branson auction will be April 21–22. A

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THE BRANSON AUCTION // Branson, MO
GM
#539-1958 CHEVROLET IMPALA convertible.
VIN: F58J110476. Copper/tan vinyl/
copper & gold vinyl. Odo: 17,879 miles.
283-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Older repaint showing
numerous scratches, chips and dents.
Fit is generally good, but the trunk appears
to be a bit high. Chrome and trim are poor,
with lots of pitting. Engine bay is very poor
and needs a lot of TLC detailing. Underside
is about the same and shows some rust.
Interior shows its age and needs a full restoration.
The glass window cranks are hard
to operate, and handle is missing on right
wing vent. Cond: 3-.
where around $30k. With the aftermarket
parts added onto it, I think the hammered
price is fair, but a nod goes to the buyer.
#240-1964 CHEVROLET IMPALA custom
2-dr hard top. VIN: 41847S263122. Blue &
white/tan vinyl. Odo: 95,730 miles. 350-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. A very nice metallic blueand-white
repaint. Chrome is good and
shiny—trim is dull. Aftermarket mags need
detailing and tires show wear. Engine bay is
clean but needs more detailing. Underside
is dirty. Interior is good, except the dash
needs to be restored and the carpet needs
replacement. Glass is good all around.
Cond: 3.
nice and new repaint. Fit is good. Chrome
and trim are very good. Engine bay is excellent,
showing off the big-block 396. Underside
matches the topside quality. Interior
and glass are good. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $45,650. This is one nice automobile,
with an original big-block 396-ci
350-hp V8. Auction listing states that the
396 block is original to the car and that the
original factory build sheet is included. The
L34 and X22 options indicate a real RS/SS
396 Camaro. Optioned like it is, this car
should sell for about $60k. Great buy!
SOLD AT $48,400. This car is barely a
driver if it runs well. However, the bids were
coming in hot and heavy on this relatively
rare 3-speed no-reserve Impala. At a median
market value of $91k, the sold price of
$46.6k was a real bargain, although the car
is in need of a full restoration to realize its
maximum upside market potential. At this
price it is definitely a full-restoration candidate.
Good buy.
#243-1963 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 31847S279066. Red/black
vinyl. Odo: 49,562 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Restored within the past 200 miles.
New paint, chrome and trim are done very
well. Fit is good. Aftermarket mags are very
good and set the car off nicely. Engine bay
is just fair and needs a cosmetic restoration.
Underside is clean but could use detailing.
The interior is nice, but the dashboard and
gauges need to be restored. A rare factory
tachometer is built into the dash, just above
the steering wheel. Glass is good all
around. Auction listing states that “air ride
has been added.” Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $12,000. Good-looking car at 20
feet, but the devil is in the details. This one
is nothing more than a driver, assuming it
runs well. Median market value is around
$22k, but considering the condition of this
one, the hammered price is fair. Both buyer
and seller should be happy.
#242-1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO coupe.
VIN: 124377L134015. Yellow/black vinyl.
Odo: 26,668 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto.
New repaint done well. Chrome and trim
match quality of the repaint. Right door fit is
off. Aftermarket mags really look great. Engine
bay and underside are spiffy. Original
interior looks good but is starting to show its
age. Lower windshield seal needs to be
replaced. Cond: 3+.
#600-1970 PONTIAC GTO coupe. VIN:
242370P289477. White/black vinyl/black
vinyl. Odo: 98,565 miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Nice repaint is very well done. Fit,
chrome and trim are all very good and
show-worthy. Original spoked wheels with
chrome rings really set it off. Engine bay
and underside are clean but could use a
good cosmetic restoration. Interior is very
good and looks to be restored. Glass is very
good all around and the windows crank effortlessly.
Lots of restoration documentation.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $21,175. Not a bad first-year Camaro.
Just above driver-level, mostly due to
its new paint job. This car would make a
nice local show car and has good investment
potential. The only thing that might
hold it back is its automatic transmission.
Otherwise, a good buy on a nice muscle
car.
SOLD AT $21,175. I am not sure about the
originality of this car, but an original one in
this condition has a market value some-
92 AmericanCarCollector.com
Yellow & black/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo:
70,081 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Very
#234-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO
RS/SS 396 coupe. VIN: 124379N4311.
SOLD AT $23,650. There were many options
for muscle cars in 1970. However, by
then Chevrolet, Dodge and Plymouth had
caught up to the GTO, the one that started it
all, and were offering bigger muscle. This
was a nice example of an early ’70s GTO
and sold well below its median market value
of $30k. I am guessing that its automatic
transmission and high mileage held it back.
Great buy.
#529-1971 CHEVROLET BLAZER SUV.
VIN: KE1815613370. Red & white/white
vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 25,529 miles. 350-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. A new repaint done very
well. Chrome and trim match the quality of
the paint job. Steel wheels with chrome
hubs and trim carry new rubber which enhances
the appearance of the entire vehicle.
Engine bay is very good. Underside,
interior and glass are good. Cond: 3+.
BEST
BUY

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THE BRANSON AUCTION // Branson, MO
ing off the original L76 engine. Underside
could be done better to match the topside
quality. Interior is nice, consistent with its
mileage. Glass is good all around. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $27,500. An exceptional restoration
and presentation of this Blazer. The hot
SUV market right now demanded the hammered
price. Good deal for both buyer and
seller.
CORVETTE
#247-1962 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 20867S102362. Honduras
Maroon/black vinyl/black leather. Odo:
15,810 miles. 327-ci 250-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Nicely restored Honduras Maroon Corvette
with just a few minor scratches and chips.
Fit is very good, as are as the chrome and
trim. Wheels are factory steel with original
hubcaps. Engine bay is nice. Underside is
very good and matches the topside quality.
Interior is very good and complements the
exterior nicely. Dash is slightly melted on
the right side and needs to be repaired.
Small tear in the front center of the convertible
top. Glass is good all around. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $39,500. This car should sell
somewhere in the low-$50k range. The
things that probably held it back were its
non-original flared fenders and lack of a soft
top. To bring it up to its market value, the
new owner will need to spend at least $10k
to add a new top and replace the flared
fenders with correct reproductions. Of
course, the owner would then have spent
just about what the car would bring at auction.
Fair deal for both buyer and seller.
FOMOCO
#611-1926 FORD MODEL T Frontenac
replica roadster. VIN: 14697163. Black/red
leather. MHD. Odo: 26,015 miles. New paint
very good to excellent, with minor
scratches. Fit is good, except that the right
door will not open. Chrome on headlights is
very good. Wheels are spoke and in very
good condition with new tires. Engine bay is
fair, showing open overhead valves, but
needs detailing. Underside is very good and
matches the topside quality. Not much interior
to judge here, only seats and dash,
which are in very good condition. No glass
to judge. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $46,000. According to the auction
listing, this Corvette is powered by its original
numbers-matching 327/250 engine. It
appears that this car has had TLC most of
its life. Except for a couple of imperfections
mentioned above, it would make a good
collector as long as it runs out well. However,
it sold at Leake Tulsa in February for
$47.3k (ACC# 6830963). So why would the
seller take a loss here in Branson just six
months later? If the car doesn’t have any
hidden problems, it was a good buy, as the
median market value is around $47k.
#581-1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 30867S110411. White/tan
vinyl/tan leather. Odo: 48,582 miles. 327-ci
340-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Recent cosmetic
restoration very well done. Paint, chrome
and trim are very good to excellent. Aftermarket
mags are very nice and really set
the car off. Engine bay is very good, show-
94 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $16,225. Louis Chevrolet was a
co-founder of the Chevrolet Motor Car Company
in 1911. In 1914, Louis and his
younger brothers Gaston and Arthur started
the Frontenac Motor Corporation to build
race cars based on Ford’s Model T chassis.
In 1920, Gaston Chevrolet died racing a
Frontenac in Los Angeles and in 1921 Louis
Chevrolet won the Indianapolis 500 in a
Frontenac. Although the history is interesting,
it is hard to place a value on this Frontenac
replica. The only thing that can be
said is that it must have been a fair deal for
both buyer and seller or the hammer would
not have dropped.
#270-1948 FORD F-1 pickup. VIN: 87HY94181.
Red/gray cloth. Odo: 2,425 miles.
V8, 2x1-bbl, 4-sp. Very nicely restored Ford
F1 pickup. Body and paint are very good.
No chrome or trim to worry about. Factory
steel wheels with chrome dog-dish hubcaps
and chrome rims really set this one off.
Could not open the hood to inspect the engine
bay; however, the underside is very
good. The interior is simple but very nice.
Glass is good all around. The only flaw I
see is that the fit of both doors seems to be
off slightly from top to bottom. Also, the
wood in the bed is slightly weathered.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $16,500. An exceptional old Ford
pickup. These old F-1 Fords are rare, and
as long as it runs out right, the price was
fair. Both buyer and seller should be happy
with this deal.
#622-1957 FORD RANCHERO pickup.
VIN: C7RF214103. Red/gray vinyl. Odo:
17,875 miles. 351-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Recent
repaint done very well. Fit is good. Chrome
and trim are just fair. Chrome has scratches
and pits. Trim is dull. Wheels are old, and
dirty mags need detail or replacement. Engine
bay, underside and interior are old and
dirty and need restoration. Glass has chips
“
This car should sell somewhere in the
low-$50k range. The things that probably
held it back were its non-original flared
fenders and lack of a soft top.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette convertible
”

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THE BRANSON AUCTION // Branson, MO
in the left window. Bed is painted same
color as the body of the vehicle. Cond: 3-.
would be a good driver that could be restored
as you go as long as the price is
right. Cond: 3-.
good but shows some rust. Interior and
glass are very good. Bed has been sprayed
with a protective coating. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $19,250. Everything but the paint
needs to be restored on this car. With that
in mind, the price paid is much too high.
Seller should go home very happy.
#602-1958 EDSEL PACER convertible.
VIN: W8UF719490. Peach/white vinyl/
peach & white vinyl. Odo: 95,340 miles.
361-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Newer repaint done
very well. Fit is good. Chrome and trim have
lots of pits and scratches. Wheels are factory
steel with original spinner hubcaps in
good condition. Wide whitewalls are stained
and need a good whitewashing. Engine bay
is good but engine itself needs to be detailed.
Underside is dirty and showing some
rust. Interior looks to be original but needs
restoration and a new carpet. Vent glass is
bubbled and will not open. Window seals
need to be replaced. Sold at no reserve.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $7,500. It seems like the price
was right for one bidder. The price paid
here gives the buyer plenty of room to restore
as they go down the road. Good buy.
#523-1963 FORD FALCON Ranchero
pickup. VIN: 3R27F182770. Purple metallic/
black vinyl. Odo: 5,570 miles. 289-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Looks to be totally restored with
high-performance equipment. Body and
paint are very good, with a custom purple
metallic paint job throughout—including the
bed. Fit is good all around. Chrome is good,
trim is dull. Nice mags that need to be detailed.
Engine bay is good. Underside is just
fair and needs to be detailed. Interior is just
fair, showing a lot of wear. Glass is good all
around. Includes a cloth bed cover in good
condition. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $18,700. Auction listing states
that this is a rare model known as the
“Spring Special” and that less than 300
were built with automatic transmissions—
like this one. The market for these is questionable,
but for this condition the buyer
paid a fair price. Both buyer and seller
should be happy.
#550-1970 FORD MUSTANG Boss 302
fastback. VIN: 0F02G162587. Yellow &
black/black leather. Odo: 29,120 miles. 302ci
V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Body and paint are good,
with minor scratches and chips. Fit is very
good. Chrome and trim are very good. Factory
mags are nice and show well on the
car. Engine bay is very good, showing the
302 nicely. The underside is just fair and
needs a protective coating and detail. It
looks to have seen some water damage.
Interior is nice, reflecting its relatively low
mileage. Glass is good all around.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $20,625. This car would make a
novelty driver and local show car as long as
it runs out well. It is actually in pretty good
shape—considering its age and mileage.
Auction listing states it was part of a private
collection for many years and never offered
for sale until today. Both buyer and seller
should be happy with this deal.
#266-1963 FORD FALCON convertible.
VIN: 3H15F235003A. Black/black vinyl/red
vinyl. Odo: 10,034 miles. 260-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Body and paint are just fair, with numerous
scratches and chips. Convertible
top is poor and needs to be replaced. Fit is
poor, with a bouncy right door and a left
door that will not open. Chrome is good,
trim is dull. Engine bay is clean, with lots of
spray paint and needs professional detailing.
Interior is dirty and shows a lot of use.
Glass is clear except for the convertible-top
window that needs replacement. This car
96 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $12,100. Not a bad driver-quality
vehicle, assuming that it runs out okay. This
car appeared in Branson last spring and
was a no-sale with a high bid of $11.5k
(ACC# 6836353). Looks to me like the market
has spoken and the owner saw the light.
With commission, the amount realized here
was about the same as it would have been
last spring. The median market value for
these cars is only about $9k, so the seller
was right to take the high bid this time. Well
sold.
#224-1965 FORD ECONOLINE pickup.
VIN: E10TH686333. Red/red & black vinyl.
Odo: 84,894 miles. 240-ci I6, 1-bbl, auto.
New repaint done very well but has some
chips throughout. Doors are bouncy. No
chrome to speak of, but trim has some
dents. Aftermarket mags have been repainted
and are just in fair condition. Engine
bay needs detailing. Underside is generally
SOLD AT $62,700. These cars are rated an
“A” investment grade in the Pocket Price
Guide. Currently, their median market value
is about $74k. My concern with this one is
water damage. Besides evidence of such
on the underside, the car had a musty smell
inside. With all the hurricanes we had this
year, I am concerned that many of the water-damaged
cars will find their way into the
auction circuit. Let’s hope that this is not the
case with this car. Assuming it is not, the
hammered price was several thousand less
than market value for this low-mileage car.
Good buy.
MOPAR
#544-1969 PLYMOUTH GTX Hemi 2-dr
hard top. VIN: RS23J9G252603. Metallic

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THE BRANSON AUCTION // Branson, MO
green/black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 50,150
miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, 4-sp. Body and
paint very good, with minor polishing
scratches. Very good fit all around. Chrome
and trim are excellent. Factory steel wheels
with original dog-bowl hubcaps really look
nice. Engine bay is excellent, showing off
the big 426 Hemi. Underside matches the
top-side quality. Interior is super-nice. Rearwindow
glass has some noticeable
scratches. Lots of documentation. Cond: 2.
#245-1950 WILLYS JEEPSTER roadster.
VIN: VJ3610910. Red/black cloth/gray
leather. Odo: 10 miles. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Excellent restoration from top to bottom
that looks great. Body, paint, chrome,
trim, engine bay, underside and interior are
all excellent. Windshield and wing vents
could be better. Also, the left door does not
latch properly. This Jeepster has been fitted
with an Olds 350 V8 and a Powerglide automatic
transmission. Cond: 2-.
Odo: 31,800 miles. 289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Recent repaint in good condition, with minor
scratches and chips. Fit is good. Chrome
and trim are very good. Aftermarket Keystone
mags are just fair, with some flaws
and rust. Engine bay is good, but engine
block needs new paint and cosmetic restoration.
Underside is dirty and shows some
rust. Interior is good for its age, with new
seats. Right wing vent is loose, otherwise
the glass is good all around. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $82,500. There were only 198 of
these Hemi GTXs built in 1969. This one is
all original and documented with its original
build sheet. According to the owner, he purchased
this one from a museum in California
that was going out of business. It is still
a museum-quality car. Its median market
value is about $84k, so the hammered price
of $75k was just a bit off the money. Both
buyer and seller should go home happy with
this deal.
AMERICANA
#597-1941 PACKARD 120 4-dr sedan.
VIN: 149210959. Gray/gray cloth. Odo:
48,411 miles. Very good repaint still shows
well. Fit, chrome and trim are all very good.
Original steel wheels with dog-bowl hubcaps
and wide whitewalls really look good
on this big car. Engine bay and underside
are very good. The carpet needs to be replaced
and distracts from an otherwise very
good interior. Glass is good and clean all
around. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $36,300. This Jeepster looks
great and hopefully runs as good as it looks.
The market is hot for these vehicles right
now, so the seller hit it just right. The hammered
price is testimony to that, because
the median market value is only about $20k.
Well sold!
#221-1963 STUDEBAKER HAWK GT 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 63V17670. Red/white vinyl.
SOLD AT $13,200. Auction sheet states
that the same family has owned this car for
40 years. This one could use some TLC
and a good cosmetic restoration. Its market
value is around $20k, so at a hammered
price of $13k, the buyer has some money to
work with. It was a no-sale here at Branson
in 2015 with a high bid of $15k (ACC#
6852344), so the seller should have taken
the bait two years ago. Good buy. A
SOLD AT $28,600. Not a great investment
but a very nice car. According to the price
guide, the median value for this car is
$32.5k, so the hammered price certainly
made the buyer happy. Good buy.
January–February 2018 97

Page 96

WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS // Auburn, IN
Worldwide Auctioneers —
The Auburn Auction
Pre-war Classics dominate the block at Worldwide’s
10th Auburn auction
Worldwide
Auctioneers
Auburn, IN
September 2, 2017
Auctioneer: Rod Egan
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 82/85
Sales rate: 96%
Sales total: $2,749,010
High American sale:
1955 Cadillac Die
Valkyrie concept coupe,
sold at $209,000
buyer’s premium:
10%, included in sold
prices
high seller accolades — 1955 Cadillac Die Valkyrie Concept convertible, sold at $209,000
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
Market opinions in italics
ACC 1-6 scale
condition rating
for vehicles in
Market Reports
1. Perfect: National
show standard
2. excellent: Club
show-worthy, some
small flaws
3. Average: Daily driver
in decent condition
4. Meh: Still a driver,
with some visible flaws
5. Questionable: A
problem-plagued beast
that somehow
manages to run
6. Lost cause:
Salvageable for parts
98 AmericanCarCollector.com
W
ith their 10th annual auction during
the Labor Day-weekend Auburn Cord
Duesenberg Festival, one would think
that Worldwide could run the sale on
cruise control by now. However, it’s
a never-ending task to come up with consignments
to put on the floor of the National Auto & Truck
Museum, and any consignment specialist worth their
salt will tell you that it’s been tough sledding to get
them in recent years.
Worldwide had several high-quality cars that would
be featured consignments at any global auction house,
but they also had a mixed bag of three collections they
were consigned to sell. Although they were no-reserve
cars, unfortunately, several were off-grade compared
to what I would usually expect from a catalog auction
house. However, sometimes when taking on selling an
estate car collection, they have to take all or none. One
good thing with those is that the clientele for them —
which was over at Auctions America by RM’s competing
Auburn event — would have no excuse other than
not wanting to work past the 6 p.m. start time, as AA
was done for the day before Worldwide started.
An interesting twist was that quite a few of the
consignments were from the Roaring ’20s. At a typical
collector-car auction, you are bound to get a few Ford
Model As and maybe a car or two from the 1920s, but
here almost a fourth of all consigned cars were built
before 1930.
With all of those no-reserve cars, Worldwide did
have a personal-best Auburn sell-through rate of
96.5% — yet because of the lesser-grade lots, the gross
sales were down from last year by $300k. Leading
all domestic-car sales was the one-off Die Valkyrie
concept that went for $209k. Following that was the
1907 Stoddard-Dayton Model K. The recently restored
open speedster changed hands for $118,800.
Unlike last year, the vast majority of the muscle
cars here were either modified or made-up poseurs.
Case in point was the 1968 Camaro. Originally built
with a 6-cylinder and Powerglide automatic, it now
had a big block backed up by a TH400 automatic. As
something that never really was, it essentially sold for
the cost of the parts at $19,250.
Hopefully, Worldwide will be able to consign a
A
few more high-quality cars akin to years past at their
future Auburn sales — but either way, this is still an
enjoyable way of spending Labor Day Saturday near
downtown Auburn, regardless of the cars on the block.

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WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS // Auburn, IN
GM
#56-1908 HOLSMAN MODEL 10 Runabout.
VIN: 2560V. Black/black leatherette/
black leather. RHD. Discovered in a dairy
farm’s milking parlor in 2007, subsequently
professionally restored to the level of earning
an AACA Junior First Place award this
spring. Configured to run either with the
original style of rope-chain drive or modern
V-belts. Superb paint quality, both on the
wood bodywork and steel chassis. Patentleather
fenders. Brass trim and four kerosene
lamps resplendent with a recent
polishing. Centrally mounted horizontally
opposed 2-cylinder engine shows minimal
discoloration and lubrication weeping.
Adapted to use four modern spark plugs.
Correct style of cloth-covered wiring used
throughout. Well-fitted surrey top. Goodquality
upholstery work on the seat. No
speedometer/odometer—just a coil box on
the toe board. New period-authentic floorboard
rubber. Reproduction patent plate.
Cond: 2+.
top, with heavier weathering. 2003 West
Virginia inspection sticker on the windshield,
porcelain 1914 Michigan license plate up
front. Recently refinished wood steeringwheel
rim. Newer seat upholstery.
Handbrake lever has heavy paint wear and
chipping, while the gear-shift lever is like
new. Generally stock and generally clean
under the hood. The right rear canvas rebound
shock strap broke off from the shockabsorber
unit and is dangling from the rear
axle. Cond: 3+.
the hood, now showing some light discoloration
from limited use. Older chassis paint
shows some road spray, plus the rear
spring grease boots and exhaust pipes
have a heavier coat of surface rust. Cond:
2-. SOLD AT $99,000. To me, it’s a bit
gaudy with the current color combination. I
think it would look a lot sharper in the original
two-tone blue. However, considering
that it won the Lion Award at the Meadow
Brook concours in 2002, it’s not all that
shabby. While it could use some detailing
before hitting the next concours, it’s more at
the point of putting it in a CCCA Grand Caravan.
Regardless of intended use, a presentable
first-year V16—even with an
enclosed 4-door body—is a good buy for
under $100k.
SOLD AT $14,300. 1914 was the year that
Buick transitioned from right-hand drive to
left. As one of the most popular cars sold in
the U.S., this was a major step in cementing
left-hand drive as the standard in America.
However, it was Ford with the Model T’s
left-hand steering that essentially made it
the de-facto law of the land. Unlike a lot of
the teens and ’20s cars from this no-reserve
collection, this Buick seems to have been
generally kept up, if just cosmetically. As
such, it’s a little better than most of its stablemates,
but still sold market-correct.
SOLD AT $66,000. Holsman was the preeminent
maker of high-wheel horseless carriages
during the first decade of the 20th
century. Founded by Chicago architect
Henry K. Holsman and C.H. Bryan in 1903,
the company only made it to 1910, when
more conventional automobiles began to
handle the unimproved rural trails that the
highwheelers excelled upon. With the restoration
completed and the car a proven runner,
it can either be tidied up more and aim
for an AACA Senior award or be welcomed
at vintage events. While it seems like a lot
to some, I say it was at least a market-correct
sale.
#14-1914 BUICK MODEL B-25 tourer.
VIN: B16112. Eng. # B16112. Dark blue &
black/black canvas/black leatherette. Odo:
11,191 miles. Very presentable older repaint,
with minimal edge wear. Muted
nickel-plated trim, with minimal pitting. Period-accessory
Jones speedometer and
Buick-branded Moto Meter. Older repaint on
the wood-spoke wheels, with patches of
corrosion on the clincher rims and yellowed
lettering on the reproduction Firestone tires.
Newer tan composite running board and
interior floor material. Older replacement
100 AmericanCarCollector.com
#54-1930 CADILLAC V16 Imperial limousine.
VIN: 700859. Silver & black/black
leather & gray cloth. Odo: 67,852 miles.
Displays a copy of the original build sheet,
when it was ordered new by the Cadillac
agency in Portland, OR. Originally painted
Deep River Blue and Embassy Blue, with
dual sidemount spares. Fitted with periodaccessory
Trippe lights. Good-quality colorchange
repaint, done as part of a showquality
restoration performed on it in the
early 1990s. Paint on the wire wheels
shows some yellowing. Good but not excessively
brilliant replated chrome. Excellent
rear compartment cloth upholstery.
Equipped with an integral umbrella holder in
the rear divide (further proof it was a Portland
car). Good older detailing under
#58-1933 CADILLAC V12 sedan. VIN:
4000109. Maroon & black/maroon broadcloth.
Odo: 403 miles. Equipped with Heron
hood ornament, dual sidemounts with steel
covers and trunk rack with painted steel
trunk. Restored during the 1990s, and
shortly after its completion it was awarded
third place in its class at Pebble Beach. The
two-decade-old paint still presents well, although
some dullness can be detected
along the base of the body character spear
where recent mechanical buffing didn’t quite
catch. Most chrome is still resplendent. Cadillac
LaSalle Club decal in the windshield.
Minimal wear on the fully reupholstered interior.
Very presentable and stock under the
hood. Mostly gloss-black undercarriage,
with the sheet-metal grease boots over the
leaf springs starting to shift out of place.
Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $60,500. Notice that I said the
Heron was a hood ornament, not radiator
cap, as this was the first year that the radiator
cap was enclosed under the hood for
Cadillac. With the Great Depression still
having a grasp on the world, it’s not too surprising
that only 953 V12 Caddys were
made in this third year of production. Even
more so considering that this wasn’t the
top-line car—that was still the Series 452
V16. As the catalog also mentioned that it
was in a few other concours but did not
mention how it did, its salad days as a lawn
ornament are fading, yet it would be a potent
and competent tour car. Offered at no
reserve for a market-correct price, if not a
touch low.

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WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS // Auburn, IN
MARKETMOMENT
1976 Ford Pinto Pony
MPG Edition Hatchback
SOLD at $4,500
Mecum Auctions, Chicago, IL, October 5, 2017, Lot T157.1
VIN: 6X10Y131060
VIN: 556078063. Black & white/black
leather. Odo: 36,996 miles. 331-ci V8, 2x4bbl,
auto. Stated by the consignor (the second
owner) that the car is built on a 1954
Eldorado chassis, but has a VIN for a 1955
Series 60—which may be the engine number,
although it has Eldorado dual 4-barrel
induction. Fitted with a lift-off hard top only.
Mostly original paint, or at least topical
panel resprays back in the days it was a
show car. Heavier paint crazing on the tops
of the doors, hood and at the cowl. Some
brush painting evident in the door edges,
especially around a 1956-dated oil-change
sticker. Large pieces of chrome are very
wavy. Original wrinkled seating-surface
leather, with some seam splitting and
heavier wear on the outboard top corner of
the seat back. Dashboard is essentially a
stock Cadillac unit grafted in. Cond: 3.
6
#47-1955 CADILLAC DIE
VALKYRIE Concept convertible.
Dan Duckworth, courtesy of Mecum Auctions
lately. Think about all the Fox-body Mustangs and Buick Grand Nationals you’ve seen over
the past year or so. But what about the post-muscle-car 1970s?
There are certainly iconic cars from that era, too. The Chevy Vega, AMC Pacer and
There have been a lot of ’80s-era autos hitting the auction circuit
Gremlin, and Ford Pinto come to mind, but not for good reasons. But a car’s reputation when
new doesn’t always matter when determining if it’s collectible. Are these ’70s classics finally
having their moment? Will they ever?
Well, we’ve seen a few really nice examples of those cars cross the block lately, too.
This 1976 Ford Pinto Pony MPG Edition was part of the Ken Triplett Collection that sold at
Mecum’s Chicago sale in October 2017. The collection
varied widely, with cars from the 1950s to the
early 2000s. It contained full-sized pickups, muscle
and luxury cruisers. One theme remained consistent,
however: quality — including this little Pinto.
Claimed to be original with only 52,000 miles, the
car is clean, with only minor imperfections. It sold
for just $4,500, including buyer’s premium.
The ACC Premium Auction Database shows a
varied range of prices for Pintos, the highest being a
wagon for $27,500. From there, values drop quickly,
all the way down to $142. The current median price
is $4,725.
That means our Pony MPG is in line with
previous sales, though certainly nowhere near the
high-water mark, but I can’t imagine finding a
much nicer car than this one.
So are these not-so-hot hatches heating up?
No. Will they ever? Probably not. If you find the
right crowd, maybe a couple of bidders will want
to spend $20k on a catalyst to take them back to
their glory days. To many, though, scrounging up a
memory is all a Ford Pinto is worth. The only thrill
to be had driving and owning one of these is hoping
102 AmericanCarCollector.com
102 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $209,000. Built more as a calling
card of Brooks Stevens’ design talents
rather than with any possibility of limited
production, it comes off as a large 1953
Studebaker Commander Starliner with a
removable hard top and, to be polite, an
unmistakable (to be less polite, chromed
locomotive cow-catcher) front end. After the
shows, Brooks bought the car for his wife to
use for a few years before retiring it into his
auto museum until it was dispersed in 1997.
Bid to $240k across the block, with the consignor
not dropping the reserve. Later
shown to have sold at $209k.
you don’t get rear-ended in stop-and-go traffic. A
— Chad Taylor
#70-1956 PONTIAC STAR CHIEF 2-dr
hard top. VIN: P856H9001. Sun Beige &
Sandalwood Tan/beige & white vinyl. Odo:
22,175 miles. 317-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Stated
that the 22,175 indicated miles are actual
since new, and that the car is original
enough to attain an AACA Historical Preservation
Original Features plaque—which is
crudely attached on the front license-plate
mount. The right rear quarter panel was
partially repainted and not blended into the
original paint. Masked-off section below the
windshield frame on the driver’s side has a
light topical respray starting to flake off. The
left and right headlight rings are different
hues. The rest of the paint on the car presents
well. Original chrome is dulling, especially
on the rear bumper. Washed-off
engine bay, with some engine paint
overspray on the cowl. New battery with
quick disconnect on the negative cable.
1971 Pennsylvania inspection sticker on the
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WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS // Auburn, IN
windshield. Nicely preserved original interior,
with light seat and carpet wear. Glovebox
lid and radio-speaker grille paint are off
shade from the dash. Cond: 3.
tually quite practical on a Model T, as the
parking-brake lever on the left of the pedals
made a front-mounted door impractical to
impossible. Not very popular when new and
with few surviving the war of attrition (especially
due to the aluminum in it), they defy
the “top goes down, price goes up” old-car
marketing mantra. While it may not seem it,
this was actually fairly well bought.
SOLD AT $23,650. Aside from the interior,
there’s not really a lot that’s still original after
61 years that I’d give an award for. I’ll
give you that credit is due that it wasn’t
taken apart, being kept up rather than being
redone. Yet anyone thinking that this is a
time-machine template for restoring their ’56
Poncho will be disappointed. Award or not,
being offered at no reserve, the price realized
was fair.
FOMOCO
#61-1921 FORD MODEL T Center
Door sedan. VIN: 4924360. Black/gray
cloth. Restored not all that many years ago,
with a repaint that’s vastly better than ol’
Henry would’ve slathered onto it. Almost all
of the steel body parts were replaced by
NOS Ford pieces. Workmanship on the alloy
body is quite good. The nickel plating on
the few pieces of brightwork is somewhat
muted. Stated that the natural zinc-finished
rims are NOS. While the powertrain was
stated to have been redone at the same
time as the rest of the car, the engine block
and head have miscellaneous light surface
rust. Mostly brush-painted undercarriage,
but neatly done and still rather clean. Highquality
authentic upholstery work, using material
intended for men’s suits, but holding
up very well with minimal discernible wear.
Cond: 3+.
#76-1926 FORD MODEL T Tudor 2-dr sedan.
VIN: 13287017. Eng. # 13287017.
Fawn Gray & black/gray cloth. Odo: 24,314
miles. Period-accessory Ford-logo Boyce
MotoMeter, later-day retro-look alloy running-board
step plates. Correctly repainted
not all that many years ago. Paint chipping
on the driver’s side center hinge area, which
has become rusty. Good door fit for the era.
Dull, yet likely original, nickel plating on the
radiator shell. Clear varnish on the woodspoke
wheels is starting to weather, although
the wheel-rim paint is commensurate
with the body paint, along with newer
period-correct reproduction tires. Dealer
inventory sticker on the driver’s side of the
windshield. Chrome-plated hubcaps. Period-accessory
Stewart-Warner speedometer
pop-riveted to the dashboard. Finely
upholstered interior, with minimal wear
since completion. Reproduction rubber
floormat. Steering-wheel rim refinished in
hard rubber. Cleaned up under the hood,
but not necessarily detailed. Brush-painted
chassis and axles. Cond: 3+.
fair, one can dismiss it as effects of the fuel
filler there. Panel-edge chipping becomes
more prevalent—on both colors—the further
you go back on the truck. Dents and dings
painted over in the box, plus has several
deeper scratches and weathered wood
flooring (my goodness, they used it as a
truck). Nicely repainted wire wheels, with all
five shod with reproduction Firestone tires.
Some wrinkles on the edges of the leatherette
windshield visor and roof cap. No headliner
fitted inside the cab. Neatly installed
seat and door-panel vinyl, although the former
is a bit lumpy from settled padding. Reproduction
full-sized rubber floormat.
Heavier paint wear and rather dingy undercarriage.
Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $12,650. This Model A was from
the same consignor as Lot 27—another
Model A. I wouldn’t have been surprised to
see these trucks sold as a set—they complement
each other, as the two cab styles
are in the same colors from the same years.
They both look the part for being parked in
front of the feed store in 1933 to listen to
FDR’s inauguration address on the radio by
the counter. This one’s higher selling price
says more about its condition than the roadster
cab’s desirability. Yet continued interest
in all eras of vintage pickups made both
trucks decently bought.
SOLD AT $16,500. Another one from the
“the only new news is the history you don’t
know” file. Ford’s first 2-door sedans from
1915 through 1922 had aluminum bodies.
They were also unique with centrally
mounted doors on each side, hence the
common term “center door.” They were ac-
SOLD AT $7,700. So much for “any color
you want as long as it’s black.” By 1926,
bowing to public pressure via his son Edsel,
Henry Ford finally relented to having colors
available on his beloved Model T. By then, it
was more of a case of trying to play catchup
with the rest of the industry. Of the five
colors available for closed cars and two different
colors only for open cars, none of
them were all black. With only a handful of
personalization touches, this late T would
be an excellent way for the money to enter
the unique world of Model T ownership.
Well bought.
#73-1929 FORD MODEL A Closed Cab
pickup. VIN: 3170072. Moss green & black/
black vinyl. Odo: 35,180 miles. Older authentic
restoration—not overdone, yet with a
few corners cut. The repaint has some crazing
on the top of the cowl, although to be
#57-1931 FORD MODEL A Rumble-Seat
roadster. VIN: A4523980. Tan, dark green
& black/tan cloth/beige leather. Odo: 3,804
miles. Fitted with rumble seat, dual sidemount
spare tires, grille guard and quail
radiator cap. Aftermarket jeweled headlight
visors, marble shift knob, running-board
step plates, trunk rack with removable trunk,
vent-wing windows and clamp-on windshield-post
mirrors. Better-quality older repaint,
with some polishing scratches and
occasional panel-edge chipping. Most of the
brightwork is rather good, as most of the
brightwork is latter-day reproduction—although
the mounting posts for the cowl
lamps are exceptionally dull. Doors protrude
slightly out from the bodywork, yet not more
so than a typical A roadster. Older wrinkled
seat upholstery—for both seats—which is
slightly off color from the door panels and
the kick panels. Light-to-moderate soiling on
the carpeting around the pedals. Light
January–February 2018 103
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WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS // Auburn, IN
weathering on the top. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $22,550. Rather typical for the
genre, this roadster has its share of latterday
add-on shiny bits. However, they didn’t
go over the top, and the black-and-tan color
combo (the green accents coming off as
black from 20 feet) suits it for being periodcorrect.
While there’s been some upward
movement in the Model A market, this example
was still fully sold.
#68-1947 FORD SUPER DELUXE convertible.
VIN: 799A1622497. Maroon/tan
cloth/maroon vinyl & tan cloth. Odo: 5,970
miles. 239-ci V8, 2-bbl, 3-sp. Older repaint,
with maroon overspray on portions of the
even older top and beige interior trim. Top
shows moderate wear and weathering. Decent
older chrome starting to dull slightly,
with a few smaller trim pieces showing light
pitting. Period-accessory spotlight, fog lights
and backup light. Like-new dealer-accessory
bumper extensions, with dull bumper
guards. Doors rattle slightly when closed,
but have decent gaps. Light water staining
on the cloth-seat inserts. Fitted with modern
seat belts and Signal Stat turn-signal controller.
Light crazing and chipping of the
steering-wheel paint. Washed-off undercarriage,
with a newer fuel tank. Old bias-ply
wide whitewall tires. Cond: 3.
hard top. VIN: U4AV125436. Light blue &
white/blue nylon. Odo: 97,952 miles. 239-ci
V8, 2-bbl, auto. Older average partial trimoff
repaint, mellowing to come off as original.
Pot-metal chrome is generally pitted;
dull bumpers and stainless trim. Aftermarket
spring-base antenna. Wheel covers range
from all the printed paint has flaked off to
what’s on there is faded. Stock wheels also
wear older radial tires with yellowing whitewalls.
Faded plastic-emblem inserts
throughout the car. Decent door fit, with a
few rattles. Repainted dashboard, with evident
masking lines, and the trim piece
across the top of the glovebox door is missing.
Original upholstery with general medium
fading, worn-in moderate dinginess,
light water staining on the door panels and
splitting on the tops of the seat backs. Several
steering-wheel cracks. Unimpressive
engine bay and undercarriage, but generally
original. Cond: 3-.
soft trim, plus aftermarket retro-look AM/FM/
cassette and carpeted floor mats. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $27,500. This ’Stang gives me no
warm fuzzies. If anything, it leaves me cold
as another example of spending more
money in a Mustang restoration parts catalog
on bling rather than substance. If I had a
bidder’s number and an interest in this, if
the auction company couldn’t provide me
proof of having verified the VIN, I’d be going
at the driver’s side hood-channel trim with a
Torx wrench to lift that hokey trim and check
numbers. Or better yet, passing this one up.
Plenty paid.
MOPAR
SOLD AT $11,550. After 22 years of
flathead V8s, this was the first year of the
new Y-block replacement. For this one year
before the introduction of the famed smallblock
Chevy V8, this was king of the hill in
the low-cost market. As the market for these
is gravitating away from those who had one
or grew up with one to “my (fill-in-the-blank
deceased relative) had one,” even the
2-door hard tops are going nowhere but
down in value, yet this one was reasonably
bought at no reserve. A keeper to futz with
and drive, rather than one to flip.
SOLD AT $27,500. Stated in the auction
catalog that “the Antique Automobile Club of
America awarded it a National First Prize in
Class at an AACA National Meet.” What
decade was that in? Certainly not in the
current one—or even this millennium. Even
with a grille badge and documentation from
past glory (neither of which was present
with the car), this has now unwound to the
point that any show awards—apart from
best maroon Ford convertible at the local
Tasty-Freeze cruise-in—seem unlikely.
Enough paid for driver grade.
#75-1954 FORD CRESTLINE Victoria 2-dr
104 AmericanCarCollector.com
#52-1966 FORD MUSTANG convertible.
VIN: 6R08C201530. Red/white vinyl/red
vinyl. Odo: 30,295 miles. 289-ci V8, 2-bbl,
auto. Originally Springtime Yellow with
Parchment and black interior, per the body
tag—which has been partially mediablasted,
then masked for the repaint. Colorchange
repaint was actually pretty well
done. Good door fit. Modern replacement
windshield. Replated bumpers with otherwise
mostly reproduction trim and emblems.
That is, where installed, as the left side
“MUSTANG” lettering is missing. Added
aftermarket brightwork around the hood
perimeter, which does a lovely job of hiding
the primary VIN number (coincidence?).
The repainted engine also features aftermarket
crinkle-finish alloy valve covers and
oval air-cleaner assembly. Motor is also
getting dusty and has coolant pooling in the
recesses below the distributor. Plenty of
modern wire added and spliced into the
original harnesses. All-reproduction interior
#46-1935 DESOTO AIRFLOW SG 2-dr
sedan. VIN: SG5751. Envoy Red/light tan
leather. Odo: 612 miles. Recently completed
restoration. Excellent paintwork, with
some light polishing scratches. Roof-insert
leatherette is lumpy along the edges. All
chrome has been replated, inside and out.
New door and glass rubber. Good door-shut
lines and well-fitted fender skirts. Cowl
vents don’t shut completely flush to the
body. Stated that the car was originally optioned
with leather seating and door panels,
so that’s how is was reupholstered. Headliner
also redone well, in cloth. Original-type
process used for redoing the woodgraining.
Clean and authentically detailed engine
compartment. Generally glossy-black undercarriage,
with light surface rust on the
leaf springs and driveshaft. Cond: 2.
SOLD AT $60,500. With only 418 of these
fastback sedans made, the catalog statement
that only 12 are known to survive today
doesn’t seem too far off the mark. If
anything, it seems generous. Some may
think this no-reserve sale was more than
generous, but it seems more market-correct—in
addition to not being able to restore
any of the other 11 any cheaper.

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WORLDWIDE AUCTIONEERS // Auburn, IN
#49-1955 DODGE ROYAL LANCER custom
2-dr hard top. VIN: 348335524. Pink &
black/white vinyl & black nylon. Odo: 33,959
miles. 270-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional
power steering, power brakes, full-tinted
glass and AM radio. Stated that the 33,959
indicated miles are correct from new and
that all three hues of paint are factory applied.
Paint crazing on the black on the tops
of the doors, cowl and vent scuttle, but not
on the hood immediately ahead of them.
The crazing also appears to have a topical
layer over it. Good door and panel gaps. All
chrome and stainless trim has a congruent
lightly dulled finish. Vent-window frames
have some light pitting. Well-cared-for alloriginal
interior, with a very faint—not quite
musty, but definitive—old-car smell to it.
Yellowed steering-wheel rim, but without
any cracking. Period-accessory rubber and
carpeted full-length front floor mat. Light
wrinkling on the ends of the headliner and
passenger’s side courtesy-light lens is missing.
Lightly detailed under the hood and
generally clean. Fresh coat of glossy black
paint over the undercoating. Cond: 3+.
most glaring exception being a pair of aftermarket
black alloy valve covers. Newer interior
soft trim. Gauges have varying degrees
of yellowing. Reproduction Magnum 500
wheels on economy-grade radials.
Cond: 3+.
to yellow. Undercarriage rather greasy and
dingy. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $29,700. In the
pre-war era, Packard prided themselves on
distinctive heritage styling that they felt
didn’t need badges to tell the great unwashed
that it was a Packard. They should
know just by looking at the car. So, festooning
Packard emblems on this car is something
that was likely done after the company
ceased to exist and the great unwashed
didn’t have a clue what a Packard was.
While it’s the entry-level model for 1929,
every single 1929 Packard is a CCCA Full
Classic, so this is about as inexpensive an
entry point as you could find into that exclusive
group while still having a car worthy to
show.
SOLD AT $25,300. While the Road Runner
was intended to be a muscle car on the
cheap when new, that doesn’t mean it has
to be restored that way. Still, this represents
an economical turn-key way to get into a
real muscle car (as one would be hard
pressed to call the standard Magnum 383 in
this example wimpy—unless compared to a
440 or a Hemi) that you can enjoy and not
worry much about it being out in the real
world. If that was the final bidder’s intent,
they did all right here. Bought as an investment…
maybe not so much.
AMERICANA
SOLD AT $24,200. The top-end example
from Dodge’s version of the Chrysler Corporation’s
then all-new company-wide Forward
Look generation. And, no, despite this example
having pink as a color, it is not the
limited-production La Femme package
aimed at the mid-1950s idea of a female car
buyer. While essentially a Grandma and
Grandpa car, it’s not quite an unmolested
as one would be led to believe. Well cared
for, yes; minty virgin, no. As such, this was
a market-correct price.
#48-1970 PLYMOUTH ROAD RUNNER
2-dr sedan. VIN: RM21N0G194077. Orange/
black vinyl. Odo: 51,886 miles. 383-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. Restored a few years ago to
driver-grade condition. Easy trim-off but
otherwise masked-off repaint, with sanding
scratches evident in the body prep. Lessthan-accurate
masking around the ventwindow
rubber. Said vent-window frames
also have heavy pitting, although most of
the rest of the brightwork is either an older
replate or modern repop. Dull and heavily
scuffed rear bumper. Radio antenna shaft
removed from the base. Modern non-OEM
windshield. Doors don’t have the best alignment,
but they fit and shut. Clean and generally
stock-looking engine bay, with the
#45-1929 PACKARD EIGHT 626 sedan.
VIN: 264882. Tan & black/beige broadcloth.
Odo: 2,656 miles. Equipped with dual sidemount
spare tires, doughnut-pusher hood
ornament, trunk rack with removable trunk,
Lorraine spotlight and Trippe driving lights.
Older repaint, some time before the centennial
celebration of the Packard Motor Car in
1999, as it has a participation plaque from
there. Also has a Historic Preservation
AACA plaque on the dashboard. Good plating
on all chrome brightwork. Body-tofender
welting showing heavier wear to the
point of fraying in a few places. Interior is in
very good condition if original, and the light
congruent wear makes this seem reasonable.
Kick-panel carpet edging getting
threadbare, and the door pockets sag and
have a couple of moth holes. Excellent refinished
rear wood trim and original woodgraining.
Wide whitewall tires are starting
#42-1963 STUDEBAKER AVANTI 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 63R2075. Avanti Gold/
Parchment vinyl. Odo: 64,491 miles. 289-ci
supercharged V8, 4-sp. Invoice shows it
was sold new by Greenfield Motors of
Greenfield, IN, with optional supercharger,
4-speed, 4.55-ratio Twin Traction differential,
whitewall tires and AM radio. However,
the original dashpad did not feature an
opening for the radio. Mostly original paint,
with some cracking on the left rear quarter
panel. Minimal chrome frosting. Rear suspension
sits high. Cleaned up and largely
original under the hood. Period-replacement
voltage regulator, aftermarket tin can in-line
fuel filter and new battery of the correct fitment.
Newer radial tires on the stock rims
and wheel covers. Tidy original interior, with
light wear and some yellowing from age.
Period-accessory Hurst shifter. Blah usedcar
undercarriage. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $46,200. Part of the documentation
that is available from the Studebaker
museum is the factory car inspection report.
This car had myriad nit-noidy fit-and-finish
issues that were found and fixed before it
left South Bend—and somehow I don’t think
this was out of the ordinary. What is getting
out of the ordinary is Stude-built Avanti
prices—especially on R2s like this. Granted,
these cars have been priced low for entirely
too long, but within the past four months,
they have started making up for four decades
of being under the money. Last year,
$30k would’ve been top money in a room
full of inebriated bidders, today this almost
looks cheap. A
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SMITH AUCTIONS LLC // Overland Park, KS
Smith Auctions LLC —
Overland Park, Kansas
Thompson Collection sets foundation for Smith Auctions’
first Overland Park event
Smith
Auctions LLC
Overland Park, KS
October 21, 2017
Auctioneer:
Robert Row
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 59/134
Sales rate: 44%
Sales total: $1,141,678
High sale: 1970
Plymouth GTX Hemi
2-door hard top, sold at
$95,400
buyer’s premium:
6%, included in sold
prices
1970 plymouth GTX hemi 2-door hard top, sold at $95,400
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
Market opinions in italics
ACC 1-6 scale
condition rating
for vehicles in
Market Reports
1. Perfect: National
show standard
2. excellent: Club
show-worthy, some
small flaws
3. Average: Daily driver
in decent condition
4. Meh: Still a driver,
with some visible flaws
5. Questionable: A
problem-plagued beast
that somehow
manages to run
6. Lost cause:
Salvageable for parts
106 AmericanCarCollector.com
mericanCarCollector.com
S
mith Auctions’ inaugural sale at the Overland
Park Convention Center is all due to one
man: Frank Thompson. The local car dealer
and his wife decided to sell a portion of
his collection and donate the proceeds to
St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City. While Mecum
conducts a sale twice a year in downtown Kansas City,
Thompson consulted several auction houses and was
most comfortable with Smith Auctions.
A major reason why the Overland Park-based car
dealer chose to sell with Smith was that they were
keen on Thompson’s insistence that they conduct
the auction at the Overland Park Convention Center.
This was a requirement for him because as he stated
in his opening remarks before his cars were sold, “I
made my money in Overland Park, not Bartle Hall”
(Mecum’s downtown location).
In addition to the core 28 cars of the Thompson
Collection, an additional 106 consignments made for
a full day of selling cars — or at least offering cars for
sale, as the overall sales rate was 44%. Those 59 sales
garnered nearly $1.5m in sales. Twenty-four of those
sales were Thompson’s cars, which brought in $531k
for the hospital.
On the surface, it appeared that one of the
Thompson cars was the top sale of the day. His well-
restored and highly judged 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
convertible was stated to have had the reserve lifted
at $91,000, where it hammered sold. However, the
auction company website shows the car as a no-sale,
with data provided to American Car Collector showing
that it was actually a no-sale at $90,000. Despite
that, several cars from his collection that were no-sales
on the block had deals put together to get them sold
post-block.
The top sale of the day proved to be a 1970
Plymouth GTX. The Hemi-powered hard top, consigned
from a local dealer, changed hands at $95,400.
This was one of the few cars to hammer sold after the
Thompson Collection was completed.
All things considered, Smith made a good effort
in a new location for a collector-car auction. There
was plenty of room in this venue for the auction, and
unlike Mecum’s use of the Kansas City Convention
Center, parking wasn’t an issue and lodging was far
more reasonably priced. Additionally, the 6% buyer’s
premium was much appreciated, as the industry norm
is now firmly at 10%.
Company president Sherman Smith hinted that this
may become a regular event, and I think the strong
local and regional collector-car market should be able
to support another auction. A

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SMITH AUCTIONS LLC // Overland Park, KS
GM
#219-1936 CHEVROLET STANDARD sedan.
VIN: 14FC112905. Kingswood Gray/
beige cloth. Odo: 90,057 miles. Early production
model with wire wheels, as mid-year
they changed to solid steel. No trunk, fitted
with a rear-mounted spare tire. Restored to
bone-stock in recent years, after being
stored as a good original for 25 years. A few
dealer-installed-type accessories have been
added, such as the fender skirts, AM radio,
lighter and rotating-ball ashtray, plus clock
in the glove-box door. Decent bare-panel
repaint. Body welting starting to come loose
on the ends. Replated bumpers show
heavier pitting on their backs. Good engine
detailing, after it was rebuilt. Well-fitted reproduction
interior upholstery kit. Generally
clean undercarriage, with a new gas tank,
while the carbon-steel tailpipe is already
rusty. Cond: 2-.
masked-off repaint done a few years ago.
They really should’ve pulled the trim off of it,
as the original pitted and scuffed pieces
really look out of place. There was an attempt
to buff some pieces by hand, but they
have polish residue embedded into them
rather than getting shiny. Lightly crazed
original hood-emblem plastic inserts. NonOEM
modern windshield. Bits of the door
window seals have torn off on both sides.
Engine repainted a few years back, now
starting to get dingy and with some lifting
near the exhaust manifolds. Nicely repainted
air cleaner. Universal flex-fit radiator
hoses. New battery and cables. Seats reupholstered
faithfully to the original pattern,
although not spot-on authentic. Pronouncedly
bright-white seat vinyl in contrast
to the lightly yellowed original door panels.
Moderately worn and soiled carpeting.
Cond: 3.
engine repaint, now getting dingy. Has been
converted to power brakes, and the a/c system
has modern fittings. Stated that the carburetor
has recently been rebuilt, starter
has been replaced and it got a tune-up.
Older replaced seat cloth, with some fading
and soiling. New steering wheel, with aftermarket
wrap cover. Center console ahead
of the seat with speakers built into the sides.
Newer radial tires. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $18,285. While all Chevrolets
now featured “Turret Top” all-steel bodies,
the Master Deluxe FA was still the only series
which had “Knee-Action” independent
front suspension that was introduced in
1934. Although ’36 Fords are relatively
common, stock ’36 Chevys are few and far
between. And as I mentioned to the consignor
(who readily agreed), restoring a prewar
4-door sedan to any level of quality is a
thankless job, since you’ll always hear,
“Nice car; too bad it ain’t a coupe or convertible”
(been there, done that on a ’39
Packard). At least when the reserve was
passed at $11k, the bidding picked up
markedly until hammered sold.
#252-1956 PONTIAC CHIEFTAIN 2-dr
hard top. VIN: K756H19945. Light yellow &
white/black & white vinyl. Odo: 99,926
miles. 317-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Pretty decent
“
SOLD AT $11,395. The Chieftain was the
lowest-level two-door hard top that came
from the Tin Indian in 1956. It was also
joined this year by a 4-door hard top, which
nobody really seems to love. It’s not that
this 2-door hard top wasn’t getting any love,
it’s just that it was bid appropriately for being
the off-grade driver that it is.
#225-1972 CHEVROLET C10 Custom Deluxe
pickup. VIN: CCE142S124330. Medium
Blue & silver/blue vinyl & gray cloth.
Odo: 860 miles. 350-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Per
the build tag, was built in solid Medium Blue
with optional a/c, power steering, full-gauge
dashboard, full tinted glass, heavy-duty rear
springs and AM radio. Now, the radio is an
electronic AM/FM/auxiliary unit, original mirrors
changed to swing-out units and chrome
dog-dish hubcaps have yielded to mid1970s-era
full-wheel covers. Silver center
section paint added a few years ago, while
the blue is original and is getting thin. Light
scuffing and dullness on all-alloy trim. Older
While all Chevrolets now featured “Turret
Top” all-steel bodies, the Master Deluxe
FA was still the only series which had
“Knee-Action” independent front suspension
that was introduced in 1934.
1936 Chevrolet Standard sedan
108 AmericanCarCollector.com
NOT SOLD AT $10,500. The lack of a wide
black line within the grille-frame border is
one of the only ways to differentiate a 1972
Chevy light-duty from a 1971. While fetching,
the dark silver center was not a factory
combination, although the possibility does
exist that a dealer had it painted that way
for a customer (as I know of a few 1970s
and ’80s Chevy pickups that happened to).
Neither markedly modified nor astutely preserved,
more just kept running and personalized
on occasion. However, at least it
wasn’t worked into the ground. As such,
while a tad light, it’s not too far from where it
should be selling.
#222-1985 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO
Conquista pickup. VIN: 3GCCW80Z0FS905445.
Dark burgundy metallic & silver/
burgundy velour. Odo: 71,742 miles. 4.3-L
fuel-injected V6, auto. Optional a/c, power
windows, power seats, cruise control, tilt
steering column and AM/FM/cassette stereo.
Aftermarket box side rails. Both colors
have been resprayed, to include good
masking in the door jambs, although a professional
buff-out would benefit it due to
light fade and light scuffing of the maroon.
Good door fit. Dull bumper chrome. Cargobox
perimeter trim is heavily scuffed, other
trim shows light-to-moderate weathering.
Styled steel wheels fitted with older radials.
Light fading of the seat backs, otherwise the
interior trim is in good original condition—to
include the original carpeted floormats. Recent
cleanup in the engine compartment,
”
with all stock components. New economygrade
battery. Muffler and tailpipe have re

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SMITH AUCTIONS LLC // Overland Park, KS
cently been replaced. Cond: 3+. SOLD AT
$7,420. This was the first year that El
Camino production for sale in the U.S. was
exclusively from Mexico. It was also the first
year of production with the fuel-injected
4.3-liter V6, becoming the standard El Cow
engine. The reserve was lifted when the
bidding quit, yielding a generally marketcorrect
price on a non-V8.
CORVETTE
#237-1970 CHEVROLET CORVETTE convertible.
VIN: 19460S414947. Monza Red/
black vinyl/black leather. Odo: 90,171 miles.
454-ci 390-hp V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Options include
a/c, power steering, power brakes, tilt/
tele steering column, Interior Décor group,
AM/FM radio and both types of tops. Repainted
a few years back to look presentable.
Front wheelwell inner lips shaved for
full turn-to-turn tire clearance and all wheelwells
have some amount of additional bracing
added. Soft top replaced in recent
years; hard-top vinyl covering is in good
shape. Good door fit and decent shut lines.
Bottom corners of the windshield trim are
missing. Seats have either been exceptionally
well cared for since 1970 or older replacements
that now show light wrinkling
and wear from use. Heavier wear on the
leather shift boot than the seats. Motor isn’t
unduly ugly, but could benefit from detailing
and sorting out four-and-a-half decades of
on-the-fly fixes. Retains all stock ignition
shielding. Modern replacement alternator.
Cold-blooded when started, with a rather
beefy aftermarket cam. Cond: 3+.
rusted. Wiring is a mix of old and new.
Instrumentation is a solitary ammeter.
Wears an older presentable repaint. Rearmounted
spare tire aft of the bustle-back
body with trunk. Fitted with a Howe combination
spotlight/mirror, replica step plates
on the running boards and Boyce MotoMeter
atop a brass dog bone. Seat reupholstered
in recent years, with an older
replacement top and upholstered upperbody
edges. Reproduction rubber flooring.
All-black undercarriage, which was recently
washed off. Cond: 3.
relays on the front fender apron. Adhesivebacked
rubber seal between the hood and
the front fascia. Reupholstered seat shows
minimal wear. New reproduction cardboard
headliner. A small tachometer plus triplegauge
pack added below the dashboard.
Cond: 3+. SOLD AT $15,000. Ford got lazy
for 1950 as far as truck serial numbers were
concerned, as they simply continued 1949
production—down to the same year prefix
(first digit) staying a 9. However, being the
306,192nd 6-cylinder half-ton pickup made
puts this into 1950-vintage production. Even
with a strong post-war pickup market continuing
on, this 6-banger driver was sufficiently
bid.
SOLD AT $7,950. A Model T is one car that
really doesn’t cut it with wide whitewall tires.
Not that the bright yellow wheels help matters—to
me, at least, they almost make the
car come off as cartoonish. It was no laughing
matter when it came across the block,
as one of the first cars from the Thompson
Collection, in this case selling for serious
money considering all factors—not the least
of which is that it may not even be a 1927.
NOT SOLD AT $33,000. 1970 was something
of an anti-climatic year for Corvettes.
While there were several flavors of Mark IV
big-block for 1969—from potent to wild
(sorry, no mild), the dawn of the 1970s saw
only one state of tune for the 454 that replaced
the 427—the 390-hp hydraulic lifter
LS5. Sure, this one is real-deal red with
black leather big-block 4-speed drop-top,
but since it’s driver grade, this was bid to a
reasonable amount.
FOMOCO
#250-1927 FORD MODEL T roadster. VIN:
11576752. Eng. # 11576752. Black/black
leatherette/black vinyl. Titled by the engine
serial number, which actually dates to April
1925. Converted from magneto ignition to a
distributor with points. Most unpainted surfaces
under the hood are now surface-
#243-1950 FORD F-1 pickup. VIN: 97HC306192.
Dark green & black/black vinyl.
Odo: 13,413 miles. 226-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp.
Competent repaint done in the past few
years. Rust leaching out from the doorhinge
pins. Fitted with all-stainless body
trim, plus repro chrome bumpers front and
rear. While looking bone-stock on the outside
with just the tailgate script logo painted
cream, they got a bit carried away with pinstriping
inside the cab—especially on the
doors. Aftermarket clamp-on door mirror
and running-board step plates. Varnished
cargo-bed wood is heavily weathered. Older
spray-can repaint of the motor and several
of the bits that attach to it. Additional wiring
added, and not in a very professional manner,
either. Also has a few added small
#216-1954 LINCOLN CAPRI sedan. VIN:
54WA19394H. Light blue/dark blue metallic
paint/blue vinyl & nylon. Odo: 33,205 miles.
317-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Optional power windows
and power seat. Tired old topical repaint,
but has now matured to the point of
coming off as original, if it wasn’t for the
occasional masking line on trim and seals.
Rust blisters starting to peek out from the
rocker-molding trim. While the basic bumpers
are still halfway decent (well, at least
they are congruent with the paint), the bits
added to them are heavily surface-rusted.
Solid door fit. Flag and National Motor Club
decals on both vent windows. Heavier surface
rust on most of the engine-bay components.
Heavier discoloring of the seat-back
tops and door panels, occasional tears and
seam separations on the cloth-seat inserts.
Heavier carpeting soiling. Battery tray in the
front passenger’s footwell kept open, as the
car needed a jump start every so often.
Shod with older radial tires. Cond: 4.
SOLD AT $3,710. Throughout the 1952–54
years of the “road race” Lincolns (due to
their dominance in the Panamericana Mexican
road races), the Capri was the top
model line. They were also the favored
cars, when new, of “Uncle” Tom McCahill,
the noted automotive writer for Mechanix
Illustrated magazine. All of the above is
listed for the benefit of younger generations
who weren’t around at that time—who,
come to think of it, generally don’t give two
hoots about a frumpy 1950s Lincoln anyway.
Which sums up why this selling price
was all the money in the world for it.
#227-1960 EDSEL RANGER sedan. VIN:
U12W700267. Beige/beige vinyl & cloth.
Odo: 42,899 miles. 292-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto.
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SMITH AUCTIONS LLC // Overland Park, KS
Old repaint, with minimal effort towards prep
work. Rust blisters on the ends of the rear
valance panel, outboard of the taillights.
Also has poor filler work on the lower front
fenders and bottoms of the doors, in addition
to curb scrapes on the rockers. Dull
bumper chrome, various dents and dings on
the stainless body character trim. Good
solid door fit. 2010 Missouri inspection decal
on the windshield. Stated that it has the
original interior, but it appears the seats
have been redone on the cheap several
decades ago. Water staining on what actually
are the original door panels. Fresh rattle-can
repaint on the engine, to include
spraying over snapped exhaust-manifold
studs. Undercarriage looks like it has spent
a fair amount of time on dirt roads. Old biasply
tires. Cond: 4+.
into just the components, this had to be a
loss leader for the consignor, but a decent
buy for the new owner on an introductoryyear
base-level Cougar that’s no longer so
basic.
SOLD AT $4,876. One of 1,288 1960 Edsel
Ranger 4-door sedans built in the 1960
model year that didn’t even make it to the
1960 calendar year. If this was a ’60 Ford, it
would’ve been scrap iron by now—or a fake
’60 Edsel. In addition to being an iffy example,
this was one of those “sold on an if”
cars, but beat the odds and actually did get
sold.
#305-1967 MERCURY COUGAR custom
2-dr hard top. VIN: 7F91C527290. Light
blue metallic/white vinyl/white leather. Odo:
8,145 miles. 347-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Originally
Sage Gold, with a Parchment and Ivy
Gold accented interior. Originally powered
by a 2-barrel 289, now has a crate Ford
small-block that makes no apologies for not
appearing stock. Car now has modern a/c
with a rotary compressor, plus aluminum
radiator and overflow tank. All workmanship
under the hood is quite good and neatly
done, even with some light soiling from minimal
road time. Equally good workmanship
on the color-change repaint and replacement
roof vinyl. All-reproduction brightwork.
New non-OEM replacement windshield.
Interior redone in leather rather than vinyl—
to include the door panels. Stitching done in
a matching light blue to the paint, as a nice
detailing touch. Aftermarket wood-rim steering
wheel. With 17-inch alloy wheels on
modern performance rubber. Big-bore aftermarket
exhaust system. Cond: 2. SOLD AT
$31,800. Just barely creeping into restomod
territory; nobody seemed to pay much
attention to it across the block, until the reserve
was dropped at $12,500 when the
bidding action started. With a stated $35k
110 AmericanCarCollector.com
#242-1968 FORD GALAXIE 500 XL convertible.
VIN: 8U61Y161217. Red/black
vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 23,593 miles. 390-ci
V8, 2-bbl, auto. Originally Diamond Blue,
but with the correct black bucket seats with
center console and U-shaped shifter. Factory-optional
a/c and AM/FM stereo radio.
Rather average, mostly-trim-off colorchange
repaint. Driver’s door sits a touch
low, as the central-body character line is
misaligned with the body. Original chrome
and trim looks off-condition compared to the
repaint. Engine was repainted a few years
ago, and still is presentable, although the
ancillaries are mostly original and looking a
bit dingy and surface-rusted. Aftermarket
coolant-recovery plastic jug. Newer upper
radiator hose, with tag still on it and partially
covered by the clamp facing the thermostat
housing. Dashboard, steering wheel and
door panel original Mylar trim is heavily yellowed.
Gas tank taken out and painted
bright silver while the rest of the chassis
was sprayed matte black. Older radial tires.
Cond: 3+.
trunk. Older higher-quality restoration, starting
to show some degradation. Good barebody
repaint, but not spectacular. Decent
door fit and shut lines. All of the chrome has
been replated a few years ago to average
quality; the stainless is presentable. Dull
windshield trim. Dashboard and interior
door-panel trim—which is usually woodgrained—is
in brown paint. Seats, door panels
and headliner are all in different shades
and textures of tan cloth. Dull chrome on
the front seat rail. Modern door-edge clampon
mirrors. Clean and stock under the hood,
not detailed. Modern electric pusher fan
ahead of the radiator. New wide whitewall
bias-ply tires on the stock artillery-type
wheels. Cond: 2-.
SOLD AT $69,960. The 4-window, blindrear-quarter
Town Sedan is a very rare variant,
with only 125 made. That said, it’s still a
4-door, or as plenty of other folks would
freely state, it has two doors too many. This
one was last seen selling for $45,100 at
Worldwide’s 2012 Auburn auction (ACC#
6744414), so it did well enough here—especially
after the reserve was lifted at $66k.
SOLD AT $8,745. Per the X transmission
code on the body tag, this car was equipped
with an FMX transmission. These were supplied
by Borg-Warner, as needed by Ford to
supplement their C6s. The “sporty” XL
package had a few more years to go, but by
’68 Ford offered several other cars that better
suited the performance set, especially
the Mustang, so sales were low and its days
numbered. The reserve here was lifted at
eight grand, garnering one more bid to get it
bought.
MOPAR
#274-1934 CHRYSLER AIRFLOW series
CU sedan. VIN: 6599117. Light yellow/light
brown cloth. Odo: 467 miles. Rear-mounted
spare tire with a full metal cover, with no
#279-1969 PLYMOUTH GTX 2-dr hard
top. VIN: RS23L9G155745. Ivy Green
Metallic/white vinyl/green vinyl. Odo: 4,803
miles. 440-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Data plate
decodes matching the car’s configuration.
Options include Light Group, Track Pack,
center console and vinyl roof. Restored not
too many years ago, and now starting to
see some minor deterioration from use. Decent
repaint, with some masking lines present
on the dull door handles. Bumpers
replated to average quality, mostly repop
emblems. Undercarriage was also painted
with the rest of the body. Stated that the
roof vinyl is original, and it does show a
slight bit of yellowing. Good reproduction
seats and carpeting, the latter showing
modest wear. Modern oil-pressure and water-temp
gauges. Aftermarket ignition wiring
and Mopar performance alloy-valve covers,
but the rest of the engine bay comes off as
stock. Clean and well laid out, too. New silver
cad master-cylinder cover and battery.
Reproduction Magnum 500 wheels on radials.
Cond: 3+.

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SMITH AUCTIONS LLC // Overland Park, KS
SOLD AT $40,810. In its third year of production,
the GTX was becoming more of a
fancy Road Runner than staying true to being
the top-shelf Belvedere. A pretty decent
restoration, but it’s starting to show use
since then and has a few things that are not
quite on the button. As such, it’s not quite
number 2 condition, but at the top echelon
of being a 3+. Therefore, the final price was
fairly strong but not in silly money territory.
Call it signs of life in the Mopar market.
#280-1970 PLYMOUTH GTX Hemi 2-dr
hard top. VIN: RS23R0G236813. Bright
blue metallic/black vinyl/white vinyl. Odo:
82,456 miles. 426-ci V8, 2x4-bbl, auto. A
Mopar provenance-verification service confirms
the car to be correct as restored. Optional
power steering, Air Grabber hood,
center console, hood and side stripes, plus
push-button AM radio. Rallye wheels with
reproduction Polyglas tires. Restored approximately
15 years ago. Good body prep
and application of blue, although the matte
black on the hood is not to that level. Older
replacement windshield. Good door and
panel gaps. Well-fitted roof vinyl. Reproduction
seats, but they are already starting to
show some light yellowing. Armrests and
door panels have heavier yellowing. Dash
wood is original and doesn’t fit well. Yellowed
gauge lettering. Older engine detailing
recently cleaned up but showing
corrosion on fasteners. Aftermarket ignition
wiring and newer economy battery.
Cond: 2-.
though the bumper guards were not done.
Light scuffing on the window trim. Doors
sag a bit and latch properly only if they are
lifted while closing. Reproduction 1956
Texas inspection sticker in the windshield.
Authentically detailed under the hood a few
years back, with a recent fluff-up. New
economy-grade battery. Newer authentic
seats and door panels. Carpet is also new,
but a heavier pile modern synthetic. New
seat belts for all front-seat passengers, with
correct-style lift-up latches and repop
Studebaker logo. New aftermarket dualexhaust
system. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $26,765. Last seen at Leake’s
Tulsa auction, then selling at no reserve for
$18,150 (ACC# 6839127). The dealer who
consigned it here did a reasonable amount
of work to step it up a bit, but still was willing
to let it go when the bidding hit $25k. All
things considered, he probably made a couple
of bucks on the car, but it also wouldn’t
surprise me either if he lost a bit to move it
out. Wise move, whatever the rationale, as
this was fully bid. At least it left his stewardship
a better car.
SOLD AT $95,400. Last seen at Mecum’s
Spring Kansas City auction in March 2016,
then a no-sale at $90k (ACC# 6799172).
Aside from three more miles on the odometer
(proving it’s a trailer queen, as Bartle
Hall is about five times as far from the Overland
Park Convention Center), not much
has changed. After it was bid to the exact
same spot and sat at the specialty dealer
for a year and a half, this time the seller
wisely cut it loose, allowing it to become the
top sale here.
AMERICANA
#290.1-1956 STUDEBAKER SKY HAWK
2-dr hard top. VIN: 7811391. Blue & white/
blue cloth & white vinyl. Odo: 55,021 miles.
289-ci V8, 4-bbl, 3-sp. Factory-optional
backup lights, full tinted glass, wire-wheel
covers and Hill Holder. Repainted 16 years
ago, and still presents generally well. Recent
panel touch-up, to address some paint
aging issues. Fresh bumper replate, al-
January–February 2018 111
#210-1969 AMC AMBASSADOR wagon.
VIN: A9A885S138721. Green/green vinyl.
Odo: 24,486 miles. 343-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto.
Optional a/c, tilt steering column, power
steering, power brakes and AM/FM radio.
Period aftermarket 8-track tape deck, CB
radio, and front fog lamps. While there’s
some evidence of older panel touch-up or
respray, by and large it wears faded original
paint. The heaviest area of cracking is on
the tops of the front fenders. All-original
chrome and trim, generally congruent with
the level of distress of the paint. Heaviest of
the light dents and dings is on the right rear
door. 1980 Kansas inspection sticker on the
original windshield, along with a Topeka PD
Operation ID decal—and if that didn’t work,
there’s several faded NRA decals on other
windows. The original selling dealer’s decal
on the tailgate. Good original interior vinyl.

Page 110

SMITH AUCTIONS LLC // Overland Park, KS
ONETO WATCH
$25,000
$20,250
$20,000
$15,900
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
$11,205
$15,930
$20,350
A Focus on Cars That are Showing Some Financial Upside
Median Sold Price By Year
Carpeting, on the other hand, is heavily
faded, soiled and rolling up on the edges.
Light clean-up and minimal detail under the
hood. New fuel-filler hose to the original
tank. Cond: 3-. SOLD AT $3,922. The DPL
series was actually the lower of the two
model ranges for Ambassador station wagons,
as the SST trim was the top-shelf line.
Actually, the only trim lower than the DPL
for any style of body was the basic Ambassador
4-door sedan. With general allusions
cast that the miles may be original, it would
have to be of a car that sat disused outside
when not in service. The reserve was wisely
cut loose at $3,500—since it’s needy, you
shouldn’t get greedy—garnering two more
bids before being hammered sold.
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
1971–80 International Scout II
T
he recent surge in popularity of classic SUVs and utility vehicles is at an all-time
high. One of the less-talked-about vehicles to fit these criteria is the 1971 to 1980
International Scout II.
Production of the Scout II began in April of 1971. The new styling was
focused on making the Scout unique, and revisions were made to make entry to
the cabin easier. There were longer springs for better ride quality and an updated transfer
case. Together with many new safety features
to comply with changing regulations, the II
became slightly less utilitarian than the earlier
models.
Multiple engine choices were available
throughout the production run. Standard was
the 196-ci 4-cylinder with 6- and 8-cylinder
powerplants as options. Top engine choice was
the 345-ci OHV V8 that IH knew they must
offer in order to compete with the Chevrolet
Blazer. When paired with the 3- or 4-speed
manual, that makes the
ultimate stump-puller
or muddin’ machine.
While other names currently dominate the vintage SUV mar-
Detailing
Years built: 1971–80
Number produced:
Number sold at auction
in the past 12
248,792
Average price of those
cars: $16,130
months: 5
Number listed in the
ACC Premium
Current ACC Median
Valuation: $20,350
Database: 34
ket, such as the Blazer or Bronco, there could be an upside going
with the sometimes-overlooked IH. The current ACC median for a
Ford Bronco of the same year range is hovering right around $31k.
For an average price of $21k, you can get a solid Scout — which is
up about $3k from the last time we talked Scout IIs in this space
in 2015.
Yes, the K5 and Bronco might always be worth more, but
just as their values increase, so will those of the International. If
uniqueness is what you are after, go with a Scout. In stock or fully
custom form, you will see far fewer of them and get just as much
truck for less money.A
112 AmericanCarCollector.comAmericanCarCollector.com
#290-1978 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II
replica SS-II utility. VIN: H0062HGD17192.
Omaha Orange w/ gold & black graphics/
black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 20,798 miles.
345-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. Replica SS-II built
from a regular Scout II (even the consignor
admits it once in the description). Build was
completed earlier this year, and shows essentially
no use since that time. Repaint is
technically better than possible in 1978.
Floorboards have modern consumer-grade
floormats, so even the floors aren’t
scratched. Aftermarket steering wheel, nonstock
front seats. Factory-optional-type
power steering, power brakes and tilt steering
column. Replacement-style soft top, with
typical iffy fit. Very clean under the hood,
but there are a few tagged wiring-harness
connectors that are swinging in the breeze
(so maybe it’s not really completed). Cleanas-a-whistle
undercarriage. Cond: 1-.
— Chad Taylor
SOLD AT $43,990. In addition to the VIN
prefix being wrong for an SS-II (should be
H0052…), other signs that this is a bogus
’binder are the lack of snaps for the original
defroster-duct covers, VIN and capacity
plate tags in the wrong places, plus real
SS-IIs were never factory-equipped with a
tilt steering column. And a Line Setting
Ticket (build sheet) is not even mentioned—
despite being readily available for $20. With
the reserve off at $40k here, the seller had
better be one happy camper. I hope the
phone bidder knew exactly what they
bought. Even though vintage SUVs are still
a hot commodity, this was still silly money
for a wannabe—even if it’s superbly built.
A

Page 112

VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS // Hutchinson, MN
VanDerBrink — “A Fabulous
Collection of GTO Cars and Parts”
VanDerBrink turns over 15 Pontiac projects to hopeful buyers
VanDerBrink
Hutchinson, MN
September 30,
2017
Auctioneers:
Yvette VanDerBrink,
Aaron Williamson
Automotive lots sold/
offered: 15/15
Sales rate: 100%
Sales total: $78,436
High sale: 1969
Pontiac GTO Judge
2-door hard top, sold at
$19,240
buyer’s premium:
4% onsite, 12% online,
included in sold prices
GTo enthusiasts from around the Midwest ventured to this sleepy town in central Minnesota on a cool
early fall morning to hunt for parts, cars and parts cars
Report and photos by B. Mitchell Carlson
Market opinions in italics
ACC 1-6 scale
condition rating
for vehicles in
Market Reports
1. Perfect: National
show standard
2. excellent: Club
show-worthy, some
small flaws
3. Average: Daily driver
in decent condition
4. Meh: Still a driver,
with some visible flaws
5. Questionable: A
problem-plagued beast
that somehow
manages to run
6. Lost cause:
Salvageable for parts
114 AmericanCarCollector.com
mericanCarCollector.com
Collection of GTO Cars and Parts” sale she conducted
at the McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson,
MN, things were a little different.
First, everything here was focused on 1964–72
Y
Pontiac A-body cars — primarily GTOs. Yvette and
her crew did yeoman’s work filling the largest building
on the fairgrounds with parts from several 20-foot
shipping crates. As such, GTO enthusiasts from
around the Midwest ventured to this sleepy town in
central Minnesota on a cool early fall morning that
became a splendid day, in search of a car, parts, or all
of the above.
Also unlike the usual VanDerBrink sale, there
wasn’t a field full of cars — there were only 15. Most
of the Judges were bought out of a Texas junkyard
about a decade ago and shipped north, under the
expectation of being worked on later. Although all 15
cars were 2-door hard tops that had titles, only one
was complete and in running condition — and that
was a little old lady LeMans from Oregon.
Of the remaining 14, only three didn’t have
vette VanDerBrink has made herself
known as one of the preeminent auctioneers
of large and attainable car collections
in the lower half of the market. For the private
collection that made up the “Fabulous
powertrains removed, and of those, two were missing
transmissions. This even included what proved to be
the top sale of the day — a 1969 Judge that was in
the process of being restored. With the bodywork essentially
done and a group of boxes full of parts to go
back into it, this sold for $19,240 to someone on site.
While VanDerBrink conducted a portion of the
auction online via Proxibid, this was only on the 15
titled cars and some of the higher-profile parts — such
as Tri-Power induction systems. If you were on site,
you could look though the complete and torn-down
engines in an attempt to find ones that would match
the cars outside (and a few bidders were). If you were
one of the successful bidders of the two cars that sold
online, you pretty much wrote off any hope of reuniting
the engine with your car.
While the typical collector-car auction seems
almost like it’s on a tape loop for being like every
other one, with VanDerBrink, they’re never the same.
As such, this GTO collection sale was just another
twist on the unpredictable types of cars and venues
that keep VanDerBrink sales interesting. And while
everyone talks about how the hobby is continually
changing, this is one example where ground zero is
still Yvette’s type of auction — with enthusiasts getting
together to divvy up a gathering of cars and parts
to feed the hobby and the market. A

Page 114

VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS // Hutchinson, MN
GM
#6-1965 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 237375K133780. Montero Red/black
vinyl. Odo: 53,852 miles. 389-ci V8. PHS
documentation for the car. Equipped with
optional M20 4-speed, 3.55-ratio Safe-TTrack
rear axle, center console, dual-speed
windshield wipers with washer, backup
lamps and AM radio. Has a replacement
389 under the hood with stock chrome valve
covers, but missing the 4-barrel carburetor
and all ancillaries. Does not have a bellhousing
or transmission. The radiator, manual
brake master cylinder and wiper motor
are the only other things sharing space in
there. Heavier paint fade, with some sloppy
body filler slathered on the right rear quarter
panel. Various dents and scrapes throughout
the body. Doors still shut well, although
the gaps are off up front. Most trim is still on
it, yet the bumpers are both gone—along
the valance panels. Carpet has been removed
from the interior, showing that the
floor is well ventilated. Dingy seats and
dashboard still in place. 1970s-era aftermarket
steering wheel. Steel rims on bias-ply
tires up front; the right rear mag wheel has
a section broken off of the rim, but the tire is
still seated and inflated somehow. Cond: 5.
Dented original bumpers; a lot of the trim
and emblems are gone. Missing the rear
window. Very dingy interior, lacking door
panels, but does have a moldy stick-shift
console in black and three pedals. Sold on
a recent Texas title in a previous owner’s
name. Cond: 5-.
is, then I guess the final price is what a VIN
tag, title and PHS report are worth.
SOLD AT $1,352. A real-deal GTO that’s
going to need some big-time restoration
work. Yet of all the Goats here, it can be
argued that this was the best deal, above
and beyond selling for the least amount of
money for one. Just assume that everything
needs to be done to it and run with it from
there.
SOLD AT $4,480. There were decals and a
pit pass from one of the now long-departed
local drag strips, so the car was being described
as having local history. It’s more like
as a local car, it’s now history. For what was
paid here, someone on Proxibid in Kansas
seems to think it can live again. I bid you
good luck.
#13-1965 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 237375K143946. White/red vinyl. Odo:
2,055 miles. 389-ci V8, 4-bbl. Old light coat
of rattle-can primer on the outside, with
some areas of more recent attempts at
bodywork. Passenger’s door shuts well;
driver’s side is stuck due to dents. Replacement
front clip from a red car that might be
even rustier than the body, as the ends of
the hood and bottoms of the fenders have
rust-out. Mouth of the hood scoop is missing.
Has an engine sitting under the hood,
more literally than figuratively speaking.
Missing the water pump, radiator, distributor,
exhaust manifolds and all ancillaries up
front; no transmission behind it. Steering
geometry is in place, with plugs in the
power-steering box and no brake cylinder.
116 AmericanCarCollector.com
#14-1965 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 237375K136800. Burgundy/black vinyl.
Odo: 76,096 miles. Originally a Tri-Power
with 4-speed, via Pontiac Historical Services.
Does not have a motor and transmission
in it, with only the brake-master
cylinder and steering components left under
the hood. Can still read the original chalkinspection
marks on the cowl. Difficult to
discern between the faded paint and light
surface rust. 1970s-era groovy tape stripes
all but faded away. Poor door fit. Banged-up
bumpers. Most of the trim and emblems are
still on the car, but the windshield and backlight
moldings have been pulled. Multiple
cracks in the windshield. Rust-out on every
lower body panel—let alone the floors—in
addition to a few places on the crusty frame.
Door panels and carpeting removed, front
seats tossed back in. Bare aqua steering
wheel. Partially disassembled dashboard,
with a dash plaque on the glovebox door
from the 1975 Brainerd International Drag
Weekend. Mix-master wheels and tires.
Cond: 5-.
#15-1965 PONTIAC TEMPEST 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 237375P203956. Maroon/black
vinyl. Sold on an open South Dakota title in
the previous owner’s name. Does not have
an engine or transmission, with only the
power-steering linkage and box (with all
hoses cut off) plus brake master cylinder in
place. Very solid body, without rust-out
even in the floors. Hood cut out for latching
pins. A few light dents, but most should pop
out. Rear window broken out, cracks and
delamination on the windshield, all side
glass is gone. A take-off replacement driver’s
door is included with the car. Dashpad
is still in place, front seats tossed in, heavily
cracked bare steering wheel, and remnants
of the manual transmission boot and base,
but otherwise bare inside the cabin and the
trunk. Mix-and-don’t-match wheels and
tires. Cond: 5.
SOLD AT $3,120. I saw a 1965 High Output
326 V8 (or at least it was tagged as that) in
the complete engine aisle inside the arena
building where the parts portion of the auction
took place. I’m fairly certain that it could
be the original engine in this car (or at least
the one that was in it), or at the very least
the final bidder here was hopefully prudent
enough to stick around long enough after
the cars sold to bid on it. In a stray puppy
sort of way, I’d like to see this restored back
as an original LeMans, if just to thumb one’s
nose (or lift a middle finger) at all the fakeydoo
GTOs. It’s solid enough to make it
worth the effort, although cost-effective is
another story.
SOLD AT $3,744. I think some bidders saw
and heard “original three-deuces car” and
put on blinders to the fact that nothing below
the tops of the wheelwells can be
saved. If they actually were cognizant of
how rusty this thrashed Salt-Belt Goat really
#7-1966 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 242176K134387. Faded silver/black
vinyl. Odo: 55,587 miles. Data presented
from PHS shows that it was optioned with
Tri-Power, M20 4-speed, 3.55-ratio Safe-TTrack
rear axle, power steering, full tinted
glass, black vinyl roof, and AM radio with
rear speaker. Does not have or include an
engine or transmission. Heavily faded paint,
which is rusty where it has weathered
away—mostly on panel edges and most of
the trunk lid. A few rust blisters are poking
out from the wheelwell and rocker-panel
trim, but it is overall quite structurally sound.
Crease going diagonally across the front
half of the left front fender is the worst of the
dents and dings. Most of the rest of the trim

Page 116

VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS // Hutchinson, MN
is still on the car. Carpet and door panels
removed, the latter now residing on the bottom
of the parts pile in the trunk. What’s left
of the interior is very dingy, but items such
as the dashboard and its top pad may be
restorable. Windshield has several cracks,
but the rest of the glass may be salvageable.
Cond: 5.
SOLD AT $6,720. Being a car from Minnesota,
the tin worm has dined on this (and
hasn’t missed too many meals, either), so
while it doesn’t seem like it would be all that
much of a challenge to restore, it will be.
That’s not even factoring two significant
lumps of iron missing from the driveline.
Well sold.
SOLD AT $9,360. The combination of being
a Tri-Power car with an unusual color
scheme and being fairly sound to restore
makes this a fairly hot commodity here for
bidders with boots on the ground, but no
interest online. It was one of the few cars to
have an opening bid ($3k) from the crowd,
and just kept going with two guys past
$5,500 to be the second-highest sale here.
If done right, the high bidder may actually
do okay on this one, if he does his own
work and places a low value on his time.
Yet if that’s your thing to put another GTO
back into circulation, have at it.
#3-1967 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 242177K126518. Fathom Blue/blue
vinyl. Odo: 80,711 miles. Despite the LeMans
grilles, PHS documentation shows it
to be a real GTO. Originally optioned with
M20 4-speed, 3:55 Safe-T-Track rear axle,
power steering, power brakes, wood-rim
steering wheel, Rally gauge package, center
console, custom seat belts and Deluxe
wheel covers. The first two items and the
last item are now gone. Front wheels are
1980s-era alloys and radials. Has seen at
least one repaint that was lightly sprayed.
Driver’s door fit is decent, passenger’s side
needs to be yanked hard once unlatched
from the inside. Body filler peeling from the
front valance, so the grilles may have been
swapped as part of an economy collision
repair. Also has previous rust repaint on the
tops of the fenders and around the rear
wheelwells that’s now blowing out, plus
paint is flaking off the A-pillars. Heavily
soiled and moldy interior, with various bits
taken off and tossed in. Complete dashboard,
apart from the radio. Cond: 5.
#1-1969 PONTIAC GTO The Judge 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 242379A132174. Cameo
White & black/black vinyl. Odo: 46,705
miles. Per the PHS documentation provided
with the car, it was originally built as a
Judge with an automatic transmission, 3.55
Safe-T-Track rear axle, Rally gauge package,
power front-disc brakes, tinted windshield
and AM radio. Stated that the
frame-off restoration was started in 2011
and car was recently painted and striped in
the correct color combination. Does not include
a motor or transmission, but most of
the other loose parts external to the car.
Dusty seats with reproduction vinyl are sitting
loose in the car, with no carpeting.
Chassis has been painted, but most of the
rear suspension and the rear axle are raw
originals. Longer sections of brake and fuel
lines ran, but not completed. Body tag not
attached. Engine bay coming along nicely,
but exposed bolts have flash rust. Correct
restored wheels. Cond: 2-.
Plenty of surface rust from where the paint
has baked completely off, but only has
some rot-out behind the rear wheels. Doors
still fit fairly well. Most of the emblems and
trim are still on the car. All four original
wheels, with a mix of tires. Interior is very
disheveled from decades of sitting outside;
few components are restorable, but will provide
a template for replacements. Cond: 5.
SOLD AT $7,280. With a color combination
not often seen, a bevy of factory options
and a rather solid body to restore upon,
there may be a long road to recovery on this
Judge, but it can be healed. Thing is, going
into it for this much money—and needing to
get an engine and transmission—makes
this a purchase for love, not money. Bought
over the phone by a marque specialist, so
at least he knows what he’s getting into
(and might even have a Ram Air III looking
for a new home).
SOLD AT $19,240. Condition rating applied
to what was presented only (if there’s one
thing I hate doing, it’s writing up partially
completed project cars). Depending upon if
you are a body and paint person or a “finisher,”
either the hard work is done and you
just have to put it all together, or the easy
part is done and it needs the arduous task
of actually completing the full-sized threedimensional
puzzle and making it work. Regardless
of point of view, plenty was
paid—unless you have a Ram Air III with a
TH400 as garage art.
#2-1969 PONTIAC GTO Judge 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 242379R187628. Palladium Silver/
blue vinyl/blue vinyl. PHS documentation
supplied with the car shows it was a
real-deal Judge sold new in Midland, TX,
with optional TH400 automatic, 3:23 Safe-TTrack
rear axle, a/c, power steering, power
front-disc brakes, center console with Hurst
Dual Gate shifter, tinted windshield, radio
and vinyl roof. Consignor bought this out of
a junkyard in Dallas, TX, in 2005. Engine
and transmission have been removed, plus
some interior components and all the glass.
118 AmericanCarCollector.com
#5-1969 PONTIAC GTO Judge 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 242379B154767. Black primer/
none. Per the PHS documentation presented
with the vehicle, it’s a Judge in Carousel
Red with Parchment interior. Options
are M20 4-speed, 3.55-ratio Safe-T-Track
rear axle, power steering, power front-disc
brakes, center console, full-tinted glass,
Rally gauge package, hood-mounted tachometer,
remote outside mirror, deluxe
seat belts and push-button AM radio. None
of which are still present on this chassis
with body shell strapped to it. Stated that
the “restoration was started using a donor
body and frame.” Chassis in semi-gloss
black. Bodywork is not completed, despite
being coated entirely in black primer. Also
has several replacement panels tucked into
the car (such as the floor pans that need to
be cut and welded in) along with some exhaust
piping. Brake lines have been run in
and front disc set-up installed, along with
rear shocks. Also has a power-steering box
mounted to the detailed drag link. Latemodel
steel wheels up front, old steel rims
out back—all on mixed radials. Cond: 6+.

Page 117

VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS // Hutchinson, MN
SOLD AT $4,420. This was one of the first
2,000 “pattern” Judges built. Or rather, the
VIN is for one. Essentially, someone paid
$4,420 for a VIN; the car will evolve later. I
guess it makes no difference if it’s a Ferrari
or a Pontiac; if it’s a GTO, all you need is
the rights to the serial number and the rest
of the car can be re-created.
#8-1969 PONTIAC GTO Ram Air IV 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 242379R171354. Red &
Verdoro Green/Parchment vinyl. Odo:
35,662 miles. Made into a wannabe Judge
decades ago, but per the PHS documentation,
was optioned with a Ram Air IV engine.
Also built with optional M21 4-speed,
3.90-ratio Safe-T-Track differential, power
front-disc brakes, Ride and Handling package,
Rally II wheels, Sport steering wheel,
Rally gauge package, tinted windshield and
AM radio. Sold new by Olin & Ayres in
Brodhead, WI, so it’s rustier than all get-out.
Rust holes in the front fenders, bottoms of
the rear quarters are flapping in the breeze,
and has what we in the Salt Belt call “Barney
Rubble floors.” Essentially, the carpet is
keeping the seats from falling out. The
color-change repaint to orange as part of
the ersatz Judge redo is now coming off in
sheets, revealing the original Verdoro
Green. Body tag popped off. Temporary
spare and a Rally II wheel up front, with
solid-steel wheels on snow tires on the
rears. Very dirty and moldy, but complete
interior. Like every real Judge on this auction,
it doesn’t have an engine and transmission.
Cond: 5-.
SOLD AT $5,720. If you were going to build
a fakey-doo Judge back before PHS could
call it B.S., this would be the car to do it
with. It was essentially built just like one
when new, except for having trim rings on
the Rally II wheels and no pop-art decals.
Now, this is best appreciated by those of us
who live in the Salt Belt and raid the junkyards
from Texas to Arizona for rust-free
cars. I can all but guarantee that this VIN
will live on like George Washington’s
hatchet.
#10-1969 PONTIAC LEMANS 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 237379B121755. Verdoro Green/
black vinyl/black vinyl. Odo: 15,141 miles.
Does not have an engine or transmission,
but has enough components to confirm it
had a floor-shift automatic. Consignor states
that it had a 4-barrel 400-ci V8 under the
now-vacant hood. Power-steering box and
power brake booster plus some wiring is all
that’s left in the engine bay. Also missing
the front grille/bumper assembly, lower valances,
rear bumper/taillights, side glass,
seats, door panels, kick panels and carpeting.
Front fender loosely fitted, radiator-support
bracket leaning against the car. Used
repair panel for a 1970 right rear quarter is
included loose with the car (they might want
to think that through again). Vinyl roof has
been entirely stripped off, but the moldings
are still on the body. Dashboard with all instruments
and a cracked pad is still in the
car, along with a sun-baked steering wheel
on the tilt steering column. Three of the four
wheels and tires match. Sold on an Oklahoma
title. Cond: 5-.
SOLD AT $780. Once we get past the
GTOs and Judges at this auction, the LeMans
that were sold went for far more realistic
prices. Yet I have few doubts that at
least one of these is bound to surface as a
“numbers-matching” GTO or even Judge
January–February 2018 119

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VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS // Hutchinson, MN
MARKETMOMENT
1996 Chevrolet Camaro
Ram Air IV. And it damn sure won’t become
reincarnated as a replica Sprint.
Custom Convertible
SOLD at $16,500
Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, NV, October 19–21, 2017, Lot 613.1
VIN: 2C1FP32P9T2151691
#11-1969 PONTIAC LEMANS 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 237379R154354. Gray primer &
Verdoro Green/gold vinyl. 350-ci V8, 2-bbl,
auto. Sold on a formerly bonded Minnesota
title, signed over by the previous owner in
2011. Front valance, bumper and grille assembly
is missing, as are taillights, hood, all
glass, the dashboard, door panels, carpeting
and all trim aft of the cowl. Most of the
bodywork is in gray primer, aside from original
paint on the front fenders. Rust-out at
the base of the windshield and floor seams.
Floor-shift tilt steering column with dingy
stock three-spoke steering wheel. Passenger’s
front seat is folded forward and all of
the interior wiring harnesses are balled up
onto it. Rear-seat vinyl might clean up and
be usable, but the fronts are definitely shot.
Still has the original powertrain in it, and
looks to be complete down to the air
cleaner. Radiator and power-steering pump
are in place and connected, brake master
cylinder is gone. Older painted chassis is
actually fairly clean and rust-free. Period air
shocks on the rear axle. Rally II wheels with
matching Comp T/A radials on all four corners.
Cond: 5-.
Courtesy of Mecum Auctions
the new, bringing modern drivability to classic looks. Some of these exercises were more
successful than others — this is ultimately what started the industry-leading Pro-Touring
trend, but it also created the orange combination of Camaro eras we see here.
See, while some thought it was smart to bring modern performance to old cars, others
As soon as classic American cars started to take off in value in
the 1990s, enterprising individuals found ways to blend the old with
thought it was just smarter to bring old-car looks to modern performance. But this car is about
as close to a nicely done Pro-Touring Camaro as having ketchup with your fries is to having
fries with your ketchup.
The fourth-gen Camaro underneath those grafted-on 1968 panels means this thing should
be reliable, but it’s not exactly pretty. The gaps are better than you might expect considering
the parts had to be made to fit, but I wonder
what you’d do if you got hit in this thing.
This car has appeared at auction twice
in the past few months, first selling for
$13,750 at Mecum Louisville as Lot T68.
Then a month later, we have this result out
of Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas.
If I had to guess, this was an expensive
conversion when it was first done, and I’ve
seen other similar versions of the same
thing sell for bigger money than this in the
past. But that was before the 2010 Camaro
came out — complete with professional
designers on the task of making new
look old — and made this hodgepodge
irrelevant.
At the end of the day, this was market
money for a stock, low-miles SS Camaro
from 1996. As a curiosity, this wasn’t badly
bought. But the stocker will have more
upside in the future, and you won’t have to
explain it. Well sold. A
120 AmericanCarCollector.comAmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $1,040. With the powertrain still
in the car, this one stands a chance of staying
a LeMans—provided that it doesn’t get
parted out. Realistically priced, if not a decent
deal, simply because the final price is
about equal to the core charges. Still, it will
be a very taxing project at this price.
— Jim Pickering
#12-1969 PONTIAC LEMANS 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 237379172516. Limelight Green/
dark green vinyl. Odo: 59,179 miles. 350-ci
V8, 2-bbl, auto. Factory-optional power
steering, full tinted glass and push-button
AM radio. Sold on an open Oregon title in
the previous owner’s name. Complete running
car, although I wouldn’t assume that
driving it back to Oregon would be prudent
(unless you’re ACC’s publisher). Odometer
shows 59,179 miles, but oil-change stickers
in the door jambs show servicing at 94,140
miles in 1990 and 40,033 miles in February
1997. Faded older repaint. Various light
dents on the rear corners and over the left
front wheel. Nicks and scratches have surface
rust on them. Right side of the front
bumper has pulled out from the body, but
the original chrome is decent. Very dingy
and greasy under the hood, but generally
kept up to stock. Newer battery plus upper
radiator and heater hoses. Seam splitting

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VANDERBRINK AUCTIONS // Hutchinson, MN
on the outboard sides of the passenger’s
seat, plus a tear on the outboard bolster,
but otherwise the interior is in pretty decent
shape and should clean up. Starts right up,
but does run a tad rich and has some lifter
tick. Cond: 4+.
SOLD AT $5,720. If I were the top bidder
on this car, I’d start by buffing out the paint,
stitch up the seams on the driver’s seat, and
spend a week or so cleaning and detailing it
to put the sparkle back into Grandma’s grocery
getter. If it cleans up well, then update
the 30-plus-year-old radial tires and do a
fluid exchange, and then just run it. Bidding
opened with $2k online, and Aaron had no
trouble getting bids from folks on site
thereon in.
#9-1970 PONTIAC GTO Judge 2-dr hard
top. VIN: 242370R125585. Granada Gold/
Sandalwood vinyl. Odo: 89,832 miles. Sold
new by Bob Milken Pontiac of Lubbock, TX,
with optional two-tone paint, M20 4-speed,
power steering, console, tinted windshield,
wheel moldings and AM radio. All verified
from PHS documentation presented with
the car, as you’d be hard pressed to tell
otherwise. Heavily faded and surface-rusted
paint camouflages most of the Granada
Gold, except in the door jambs and trunk
channels. The Endura nose has shrunk
from sitting in the sun to the point that it now
doesn’t really fit on the car and is best
served as garage art. Hood paint is significantly
better. Decals are gone, as is most
body trim. Seats and door panels had an
overlay diamond-pleated vinyl redo, which
is now heavily deteriorated, showing the
originals still attached below. No horn-center
button on the sun-baked steering wheel.
Interior is otherwise generally complete, but
the term that comes to mind is “roached.”
Rusted-out trunk floor. To nobody’s surprise…
wait for it… there’s no engine and
transmission. Cond: 5-.
#4-1971 PONTIAC GTO 2-dr hard top.
VIN: 242371Z112884. Black primer/ none.
Per the PHS documentation presented with
the vehicle, it was sold new by Pew’s Pontiac
of Le Mars, IA, in all black with optional
M22 4-speed, 3.55-ratio Safe-T-Track rear
axle, sport mirrors, full tinted glass, bodyside
moldings, and AM radio with rear
speaker. You wouldn’t be able to tell any of
that looking at the car now, as it’s a body
shell sitting loose on a rolling chassis only
(with a cargo strap keeping the two united).
Stated that a “donor body was used.” Said
body is now mostly in black primer, shot
over gray primer, as any repair work has
been completed but has been sitting for
awhile outside as it’s also dirty in low areas.
Body tag is removed. New brake lines have
been run up front, but fittings have heavier
flash rust. Front wheels are space-saver
spares; rears are rusty original Rally IIs on
old radials. Sold on an open Minnesota title
dated 1980 in a previous owner’s name.
Cond: 6+.
CAR COLLECTOR
SOLD AT $1,820. Of all the Ponchos here,
this was likely the one to have the most potential
versus what was spent to get it.
Granted, your $1,820 essentially buys just a
frame, a body, plus title with that VIN on a
frame and dashboard, but the new owner
paid less than everyone else who will have
just as much work to do—if not more in a
few cases. However, a ’71 GTO—even in
black on black—will still be worth less than
any of the 1969s when completed. A decent
buy—if you’re up for the challenge and
spent the rest of the day here bidding on
parts (some of which may have been on the
car originally). A
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877.219.2605 Ext. 1
SOLD AT $3,640. I would have to think this
has to be a one-of-one color scheme, or
darn close to it. Just think how many (or
rather, how few) two-tone Judges are out
there. Crazier people have paid more for
cars that needed more work and were less
valuable when completed, so it was probably
bought it for the sport of restoration.
January–February 2018 121
Keith Martin’s

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ROUNDUP
Selected Sales Combined in One Comprehensive Report
American Highlights
at Two Auctions
GM
#247-1953 CHEVROLET 3100 pickup.
VIN: H53K037626. Green/brown vinyl. Odo:
8,787 miles. 216-ci I6, 1-bbl, 3-sp. Older
repaint with minor scratches and chips but
noticeable orange peel. Chrome bumper
has been painted white but still shows well.
Windshield, headlight and front trim in good
condition, with minor scratches. Fit is very
good for its age. Engine bay is clean and
presentable. Underside is clean but needs
restoration to match the top-side quality.
Interior is nice. Glass is good. Original steel
wheels with dog-bowl hubcaps and wide
whitewall tires really look nice. Cond: 3+.
not far behind the top seller, this 1968 Ford Mustang GT custom fastback sold for
$41,250, at Dan Kruse Classics in Austin, TX
Dan Kruse
Austin, TX — September 16, 2017
Auctioneer: Dan Kruse
Automotive lots sold/offered: 42/123
Sales rate: 34%
Sales total: 819,060
High American sale: 2014 Ford F-150 SVT
Velociraptor 600 pickup, sold at $55,000
buyer’s premium: 10%
Report and photos by Cody Tayloe
Smith Auctions LLC
Springfield, Mo — September 30, 2017
Auctioneers: Robert Row, Tom Rhoads
Automotive lots sold/offered: 64/110
Sales rate: 58%
Sales total: $729,651
High sale: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air custom 2-door
sedan, sold at $41,340
buyer’s premium: 6%
Report and photos by Andy Staugaard
NOT SOLD AT $15,200. This is an older
restoration that still looks good and appears
to be mostly original. It appeared at Mecum,
Louisville, KY, earlier this month and received
a high bid of $19k (ACC# 6850691).
There was no more money here and the
seller needs to move on to a bigger venue.
Smith Auctions LLC, Springfield, MO,
09/17.
#219-1956 PONTIAC SAFARI wagon.
VIN: K756H27309. Metallic green &
gold/beige leather. Odo: 76,939 miles. 316ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. A fully restored, showworthy
station wagon. Body, paint, chrome
and trim are all excellent. Fit is very good
except that the rear gate is difficult to open.
Very nice chrome mags really set off this
older car. Engine bay and underside are
very good and match top-side quality. Interior
is excellent. Glass is good all around,
but window vents and side windows are stiff
and hard to crank. Cond: 2-.
A daily-driver, fix-up-as-you-go parts hauler — 1972 Chevrolet Cheyenne pickup,
sold for $20,140 at Smith Auctions LLC, Springfield, Mo
122 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $36,040. This is one gorgeous
station wagon. The market is getting good
for these older wagons, and this one is in
show condition. A bit pricey, but over time
the buyer should reap a reward. A fair price
BEST
BUY

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GLOBAL
that should make both buyer and seller
happy. Smith Auctions LLC, Springfield,
MO, 09/17.
#239-1957 CHEVROLET BEL AIR custom
2-dr sedan. VIN: B57J276802. Turquoise &
white/turquoise vinyl. Odo: 211 miles. 427-ci
V8, 4-bbl, auto. This car is almost perfect in
every way, showing off a new restoration.
Body, paint, chrome, trim all excellent. Engine
bay is gorgeous with a big 427 block.
You could turn it over and eat off the underside.
The spoked mag wheels with new lowprofile
tires are excellent. Glass is excellent
all around. The interior is like new.
Cond: 2+.
If one is a fan of this era of Cadillac sedans,
the Series 62 is a more budget-friendly option
to consider. The Eldorado Brougham is
where the big bucks are, but this would still
be welcome at any Cadillac & LaSalle outing.
The high bid here is reflective of soft
values of the late 2000s, but prices have
rebounded, and this one would be closer in
line with recent sales of around $20,000.
Dan Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/17.
#226-1962 CHEVROLET IMPALA 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 21847J302528. Silver/red
vinyl. Odo: 48,736 miles. 409-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. A NOM bubble top in fairly good condition.
The paint, chrome and trim are all
good, with minor scratches and bubbles.
Wheels are aftermarket mags in good condition
with new rubber. The engine bay
needs to be detailed to better show off the
big 409. Underside is clean and looks good
with the add-on sidepipes. Interior is very
nice and the glass is clear all around. I do
not understand the aftermarket a/c under
the dash because I cannot find any associated
compressor under the hood. Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $41,340. What a beautiful car!
The only thing that I can think of that held it
back was that it wasn’t a convertible. The
hammered price—with commission—was
spot-on its market value. Both buyer and
seller should go home happy with this one.
Smith Auctions LLC, Springfield, MO,
09/17.
#120-1957 CADILLAC SERIES 62 4-dr
hard top. VIN: 5762139265. Gray/white
leather & gray cloth. Odo: 24,879 miles.
360-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Plenty of light
scratches and fading throughout. Dull hood.
A few areas of buffer burn. Heavy scratch
on the roof. Occasional dry spray throughout,
with orange peel on the trunk.
Brightwork is faded with light scratching.
Panel alignment is off on the passenger’s
door. Rear glass is slightly cloudy. Other
glass is clean and clear. Hood ornament is
faded and lightly pitted. Interior is tired.
Leather upholstery shows some heavy
cracking but not open. Carpets are in decent
condition for the age. Interior common
touch points show wear, but screen printing
is all intact. Gauge cluster is clean and
clear. Headliner is in good condition.
Cond: 3-.
NOT SOLD AT $30,000. This is a goodlooking
bubble top at 20 feet, but a closer
examination reveals its imperfections. It has
been extensively modified under the hood
to showcase a NOM 409, but the rest of the
car needs improvement. Seller should have
taken the money and ran. Smith Auctions
LLC, Springfield, MO, 09/17.
#240-1963 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS 2-dr
hard top. VIN: 31847J139456. Red/black
vinyl. Odo: 14,558 miles. 327-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Older restoration that still shows very
well. Body, paint, chrome and trim are all
very good to excellent, with minor imperfections.
Aftermarket mags with new low-profile
rubber really set it off. You could eat off the
engine and underside. Interior and glass are
both excellent everywhere you look. The
only flaw I could find was right-side dash
wrinkle due to sun exposure. Cond: 2.
NOT SOLD AT $14,000. This example
marked the fifth generation of the Series 62.
January–February 2018 123

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SOLD AT $26,500. What a nice car! Looked
to be mostly original except for the aftermarket
mags. A classic ’63 Chevy Impala that
will always get some attention on the auction
circuit. Hammered sold just a couple of
thousand less than mean market value.
This was a fair deal for both buyer and
seller. Smith Auctions LLC, Springfield,
MO, 09/17.
#248-1967 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO
pickup. VIN: 136807Z123488. Blue/black
vinyl. Odo: 83,638 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Older repaint still shows well. Chrome
and trim just fair with lots of scratches. Fit is
good. Engine bay is excellent. Underside is
nice and matches the top-side quality. Mags
with Redline tires need some detailing. Interior
is good for its age. Glass is good all
around. Cond: 3+.
#265-1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO SS 396
coupe. VIN: 124379N560526. Green/black
vinyl. Odo: 69,994 miles. 396-ci V8, 4-bbl,
4-sp. Body and paint are very good, with
minor scratches and chips. Left door sticks
a bit. Chrome and trim are very good, with
minor scratches. Engine bay and underside
are excellent. Interior is very good. Windshield
bottom seal on the left side is bad
and needs to be replaced. Cond: 2-.
signor correctly shied away from using the
term “restored” as so many would be
tempted to do. Flat paint is said by many
experienced sellers to hold back the value,
and this was no exception. The right number
should have been in the teens. Dan
Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/17.
#210-1972 CHEVROLET C-10 Cheyenne
pickup. VIN: CCE142J118749. Burnt Orange/
black & white vinyl. Odo: 38,266
miles. 400-ci V8, 4-bbl, auto. Big-block V8
with older repaint that shows well at 20 feet,
but reveals scratches and small bubbles at
five. Chrome and trim are good. Engine bay
needs to be detailed. Underside is clean.
Windshield comes with wiper rash. Interior
bench seat and door panels are very good,
but under-dash metal needs restoration.
Cond: 3.
NOT SOLD AT $12,500. This is a goodlooking
El Camino with a big 396-ci engine
that got no respect on the block. Even with
the NOM engine, it should have bid in the
upper teens. The seller was right not to take
the bait and move on with this one. Smith
Auctions LLC, Springfield, MO, 09/17.
#229-1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE SS
coupe. VIN: 134279A322692. Maroon/black
vinyl. Odo: 30,949 miles. 454-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Originally a rare SS 396, now with a
NOM 454. Recent repaint shows several
scratches on the hood. The fit is poor and I
cannot open the right door. Chrome and
trim need to be restored. The engine bay
needs to be detailed to show off the bigblock
454. Underside is clean. Interior is
good and consistent with mileage. Glass is
clear all around, with minor scratches.
Cond: 3+.
SOLD AT $38,160. This car was a no-sale
at Leake Tulsa in June with a high bid of
$35.5k (ACC# 6840242). The auction listing
states Muncie 4-speed, 3:73 12-bolt rear
end, and factory tach with gauge package.
The listing also states that it is a “factory
X66 big block SS car” and with a “non original
engine.” So I guess this means that the
engine is period-correct but not original to
the car. If this car were totally correct with
its original engine, it would be worth in excess
of $80k. Given its current non-original
but period-correct condition, the hammered
price is about right. Well bought and sold.
Smith Auctions LLC, Springfield, MO,
09/17.
#071-1969 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO custom
pickup. VIN: 136809B332993. Flat
black/black vinyl. 350-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp.
Digital odometer. Lowered stance with oversize
wheels and tires. Front disc brakes.
Flat-black paint with chips here and there.
Bed floor has spray-in liner peeling up. Tailgate
fits poorly and is misaligned on the
driver’s side. Custom pinstriping. Brightwork
appears to be original other than the newer
front bumper. Dash cover is lifting and visible
from the outside. Description claims
all-new interior. Seats and carpets appear
to be replaced. Underdash a/c. Door panels
original and show age. Digital gauges replace
the analog units. Recently replaced
alternator, engine fan and radiator. Cond: 3.
NOT SOLD AT $17,000. Badged as an SS
396, but the NOM 454 reveals its true identity.
Needs some TLC all around to reach its
full market potential. A correct 1969
Chevelle SS 396 is worth about $37k, so
hopefully the owner got the message and
will come back to the auction circuit with a
winner. Smith Auctions LLC, Springfield,
MO, 09/17.
124 AmericanCarCollector.com
SOLD AT $20,140. Not much more than a
good driver—assuming that it runs out well.
However, I am concerned about the condition
of the metal under the dashboard.
There is extensive rusting that might be evidence
of exposure to excessive moisture as
in flooding. Buyer beware, especially with
the recent rash of hurricanes and flooding in
the country. I am afraid that many of the
flood-damaged vehicles will be dumped on
the auction market. Smith Auctions LLC,
Springfield, MO, 09/17.
CORVETTE
#130-1986 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
coupe. VIN: 1G1YY0782G5102882. Black/
red leather. Odo: 83,462 miles. 350-ci fuelinjected
V8, auto. Paint is worn and faded
throughout. Early signs of crazing, with
many rock chips on the nose. Deep
scratches throughout. Front has likely been
repainted some time ago, with evidence of
dry spray. Aftermarket exhaust. Passenger’s
headlight is too recessed into the
nose; otherwise, panel alignment is good.
Rubber is cracking and brittle all around the
doors. Interior is in sad original shape.
NOT SOLD AT $8,300. While not an SS,
the engine and transmission do make for a
desirable combo. There is a laundry list of
“new” parts and refreshening, but the con

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Screen printing is all in good order. Dash
has lost its shine. Parking-brake leather has
become unstitched. Cond: 4+. SOLD AT
$5,720. Offered at no reserve; the factory
a/c is said to have benefited from a recent
recharge. Not much else is mentioned in
terms of history or maintenance, with everything
appearing stock other than the exhaust.
This one crossed the block at
Mecum’s Kissimmee sale in January 2015,
where it sold for $6,000 (ACC# 6775065).
The draw here would be the relatively low
mileage. C4s are a good entry point into
Corvette ownership, and sales price was
double the wholesale value. Well sold. Dan
Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/17.
FOMOCO
#006-1940 FORD DELUXE custom coupe.
VIN: 185331664. Black & silver/gray leather.
Power brakes and windows, tilt column and
a/c. Mustang II front end. Attractive older
build showing signs of use. Paint is high
quality but showing some prep issues.
Shaved door handles. Doors slightly out at
the rear. Vinyl-wrapped running boards.
Stainless is in good condition. Rubber has
been replaced. Glass is clean and clear.
Reupholstered interior finished in leather
showing some wear. Lots of billet-aluminum
dress-up pieces. Gauges are clean and
clear. Aluminum components under the
hood could use a polish. Cond: 2-.
NOT SOLD AT $12,500. Great color combo
with period-accessory Continental kit, bumper
guards and dual Wagner spotlights.
Last sold at Mecum’s Houston sale in 2014,
where it traded hands at $18,360 (ACC#
6714918). It returned a year later to the
same venue, where it went unsold for
$17,500. Here, it was offered by a Texas
dealer but not visible on their website. No
mention in the description of the previous
restoration or when it was done, but it is
unwound to driver quality while still holding
up nicely. The offer here was the low side of
wholesale. Dan Kruse Classics, Austin,
TX, 09/17.
NOT SOLD AT $43,000. Tasteful modifications
show that this one was built to be used
and enjoyed. The restoration was old
enough for guilt-free enjoyment, and one
would assume it has covered enough
ground to be well sorted. It could be found
for sale online in the Houston area with an
asking price of $59,900, or best offer. The
build costs likely meet or exceed that figure,
but it’s extremely difficult to recoup those
costs on one of nice driver quality. The buyers
in this market are limited, and the high
bid here was about right if not slightly high.
Dan Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/17.
#121-1953 FORD CRESTLINE Victoria
2-dr hard top. VIN: B3FV232187. Flamingo
Red & Sungate Ivory/Sungate Ivory & Flamingo
Red vinyl. Odo: 37,213 miles. 239-ci
V8, 2-bbl, auto. Power steering and power
brakes. Older restoration in very good drivable
condition. Chip at the front of the pas-
126 AmericanCarCollector.com
#253-1963 FORD THUNDERBIRD Sports
roadster. VIN: 3Y85Z151450. Red/cream
leather. Odo: 42,461 miles. 390-ci V8, 4-bbl,
auto. Older repaint with minor scratches
and chips. Chrome and trim are very good
for its age. Trunk fit is a bit off—probably
due to drop-top mechanism. Engine bay is
very nice and well detailed. Underside
needs detailing. Spoke wheels are supernice
and really set it off. Interior is just fair
but good for its age. All glass is clear.
Cond: 3+.
senger’s door. A few spots are faded. Trunk
lid is tight on the left side. Three small dents
and rear beltline. Scratches on door down
to the paint. Few chips around the hood.
Brightwork is good. Panel alignment is very
nice. Carpets are bunching and look like
they were cut to fit. Stitching is stressed on
the bench seat and starting to open. Rear
interior lights are not functioning. Cond: 3.
#004-1968 FORD MUSTANG coupe. VIN:
AF07HC27422. Red/black vinyl. Odo:
91,156 km. 302-ci V8, 4-bbl, 4-sp. Older
repaint showing lots of age. Many imperfections
throughout. Small blisters in the paint
and tree-dropping stains. Paint is faded and
lackluster overall. Brightwork is dull and
pitted. Glass is cloudy. Passenger’s door
alignment is off. Rubber is old and shows
age. Door panels slightly wavy. Seat upholstery
is in good shape. Older carpets are
decent. Shift pattern drawn on center console
with a Sharpie. Bare metal and empty
holes exposed where radio and ventilation
controls are located. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $9,075. What makes this otherwise-ordinary
Mustang unique is that it was
assembled at the “La Villa” Ford factory in
Mexico City. These were produced in much
smaller numbers than their U.S. counterparts,
and this one still retains the original
speedometer in kilometers. Single-family
ownership also gives it unique appeal, although
none of these things translated into
much of a premium when it hit the auction
block. This was good driver with a story to
tell at the next Mustang meet. Well bought.
Dan Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/17.
#015-1968 FORD COUNTRY SEDAN 500
wagon. VIN: 8D73Y156108. Black & gray/
red vinyl. Odo: 57,956 miles. 390-ci V8,
2-bbl, auto. Power disc brakes. Paint well
applied but showing age. Rock chips and
scratches throughout. Trim is lackluster,
with a small dent on the driver’s side grille.
Small chips at the front of the hood. Side
trim is removed and replaced with airbrushed
graphics. “D” missing in “FORD” on
the hood, with holes exposed. Deep-tinted
glass hides any glass imperfections. Little
modifications to the tired interior. Auxiliary
gauges added below the dash. Carpets are
worn at the driver’s and passenger’s position.
Seats are dirty and show age. Speakers
are missing covers. Cond: 3-.
NOT SOLD AT $28,750. A rare (only 1,427
were made) Thunderbird Sports Roadster
loaded with options, including a Continental
kit and spotlights. It is mostly original with
low mileage and shows well. However, it
had no respect here and needs to go to a
bigger venue. Bidding should have been
somewhere around $40k to take this one
home. Smith Auctions LLC, Springfield,
MO, 09/17.

Page 125

ROUNDUP
GLOBAL
NOT SOLD AT $6,250. Last seen at
Leake’s Spring Dallas sale in 2014, where it
did not sell for almost $11k (ACC#
6709026). At that sale, we commented that
the bidding was below market given the
popularity of wagons. Nearly 1,500 miles
have been added to the odometer since that
sale. To say it is aging gracefully would be a
stretch. Prior to the sale, the car was listed
by the consignor—a restoration shop—with
a Buy It Now of $10k on eBay. It was a nosale
there at a slightly light but fair $8k. Dan
Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/17.
#099-1968 FORD MUSTANG GT custom
fastback. VIN: 8R02J151685. Viper Blue/
black leather. Odo: 33,177 miles. 351-ci V8,
4-bbl, 4-sp. Marti Report. Original J-code
302 replaced with a Windsor 351-ci. Paint
pops from far away but up close has many
flaws. Lots of prep issues. Rub-marks
throughout. Buffer burn on the hood. Wavy
body kit. Fiberglass texture visible in fender
flares. Poor flare fit not flush with body; otherwise,
panels line up nicely. Brightwork is
minimal but what is there is in good condition.
Interior kept mostly original. Gauges
are in good condition. Door panels are holding
up well. Cond: 3-.
ket steel wheels with chrome hubs and rims
really look nice. The engine bay and undercarriage
are dirty and need to be professionally
detailed. Interior looks to be original
and has been well kept but is beginning to
show its age. Glass is clear all around.
Cond: 3+.
Silver/black cloth/black leather. Odo:
185,286 miles. 3.9-L fuel-injected V8, auto.
No hard top included. Signs of prior paint
throughout, but some panels original.
Touch-ups here and there. Bubble on windscreen
surround at the passenger’s position.
Glass backlight is sagging; otherwise,
soft top is in good condition. Panels lined up
nicely. Rubber is original and good overall.
Excessive wear on driver’s seat. Lots of
cracks in the leather. Screen printing is all
intact and steering-wheel leather has yet to
be worn smooth. Engine nicely detailed.
Cond: 3-.
SOLD AT $30,210. Broncos are hot on the
auction circuit right now, but this one needs
some TLC. The price paid was too much for
the condition of this vehicle. Well sold.
Smith Auctions LLC, Springfield, MO,
09/17.
SOLD AT $41,250. Referring to this very
car, a fellow colleague and ACCer commented
that these are the most duplicated
cars that never existed. Well, never existed
until the 2000 Jerry Bruckheimer version of
“Gone In 60 Seconds” featuring a heavily
customized 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500
that is now regularly copied. Some of the
really well-executed Eleanor tributes have
brought $50k and up, and the consignor
here did achieve a premium for this example.
Appropriate money here. Dan Kruse
Classics, Austin, TX, 09/17.
#223-1973 FORD BRONCO utility. VIN:
U15GLR56457. Red & white/red vinyl. Odo:
80,908 miles. 302-ci V8, 2-bbl, auto. An
older repaint now dulling with scratches and
chips. Overspray observed in several areas.
Fit, chrome and trim are all good. Aftermar-
“
#234-1973 FORD MUSTANG Mach I fastback.
VIN: 3S05F228532. Yellow & black/
black vinyl. Odo: 60,136 miles. 302-ci V8,
2-bbl, 4-sp. Older repaint still shows well.
Numerous scratches, dents and pits within
the chrome and trim. Engine bay looks like
it was painted with a spray can and needs a
professional detail. Underside is clean but
could use a good professional detailing.
Interior shows its age and is begging for a
restoration. Glass is just fair, with numerous
scratches. Window rubber needs to be replaced.
Cond: 3.
NOT SOLD AT $8,000. Eleventh-gen Tbirds
tend to pop up on the auction circuit
pretty regularly—from examples still covered
in delivery plastic to the other end of
the spectrum seen here. This one was high
mileage and well worn. Ford expected
25,000 units per year, but only 68,098 were
produced in the four-year run. The high bid
was more than fair, but the consignor—a
dealer asking $10k—decided to hold out.
Dan Kruse Classics, Austin, TX, 09/17.
AMERICANA
#211-1978 JEEP CJ-5 SUV. VIN: J8F83EH061605.
White/brown cloth/black & beige
vinyl. Odo: 95,993 miles. 304-ci V8, 2-bbl,
3-sp. Older repaint needs to be redone. Fit
is good. Wheels look nice with chrome trim
and new off-road tires. Both the engine bay
and underside are good but could be better.
Windshield-wiper rash. Interior is just fair,
reflecting its age and mileage. Cond: 3.
SOLD AT $13,780. At this price it is a good
candidate for a lot of TLC and possibly a full
restoration, assuming the drivetrain is original.
Good buy. Smith Auctions LLC,
Springfield, MO, 09/17.
#005-2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD convertible.
VIN: 1FAHP60A14Y102284.
Referring to this very car, a fellow
colleague and ACCer commented that
these are the most duplicated cars that
never existed.
1968 Ford Mustang GT custom fastback
”
SOLD AT $9,540. This vehicle was a nosale
at Leake Tulsa in June 2016 for $9,750
(ACC# 6807992). It looks like the market
has spoken and that a fair price was paid.
Good deal for both buyer and seller. Smith
Auctions LLC, Springfield, MO, 09/17. A
January–February 2018 127

Page 126

The Parts Hunter
Pat Smith
Big-Money Manifolds
and a Top-Dollar Radiator
Repro or original? Sometimes the part makes
the choice for you
plate. Wagoneers and Honchos are getting hot in the vintage truck market but we won’t be seeing a reproduction radio with the AMC logo anytime
soon. Price paid was appropriate for what you’re getting. About the same price only gets you the 8-track player for a GM car. A fair deal.
#132325120844 OEM factory AMC Jeep AM/FM cassette radio.
Item condition: Used. 8 photos. eBay. Midvale, UT. 9/14/2017.
“AM/FM radio cassette player out of Jeep Wagoneer. Should fit other vintage Jeep AMC
vehicles. Has all connectors, two knobs (I do not have the small knobs), please see pics. The
bezel is also included. Radio portion bench tested and it works great. Picked up a station in
stereo even without working antenna. I did not have a cassette to test the player.”
Sold at $195.
AMC frequently contracted Clarion radio to make their car stereos in the 1970s, going back to
the Gremlin days. This unit has all the goodies packed into it and includes the Wagoneer trim
#391861169601 1969–70 Ford Boss 302
Mustang/Cougar exhaust-manifold pair
with new bolts.
Item condition: Used. 12 photos. eBay.
Trenton, NJ. 8/23/2017.
“A clean pair of exhaust manifolds for a
1969 1970 Mustang or Mercury Cougar
with a Boss 302 V8. They are very clean
and have the Ford logo with ID numbers
C9ZE-9428-A and C9ZE-9431-A. Also
included is a new set of concours-correct
exhaust-manifold-to-cylinder-head bolts with
the ramp-lock washers. These would make
a great addition to your BOSS.”
Sold at $985.55.
With shipping, this is over the $1k mark, but
it still isn’t a bad deal. These are genuine
Ford parts in excellent condition and free of
the pitting I’ve seen on some of the reproduction
manifolds. Price is about the same
as the repros. A numbers-matching Boss
302 car is likely a show car when it’s done
being restored, so it makes sense to get the
correct parts if available. “Cheap” is a relative
term when it comes to restoration — the
Boss 302 Mustang is still an affordable car
to restore IF your driveline is still complete.
128 AmericanCarCollector.com
#372072094985 1969–74 Ford Econoline van grille 3-piece.
Item condition: Used. 8 photos. eBay.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CAN.
9/10/2017.
“An original grille with side moldings,
headlight bezels and signal-light lens
for a 1969–74 Ford Econoline van.
Grille is in nice driver condition with
no major dings, just some scratches,
missing paint, oxidation and a few rust
stains. These are getting very hard to
find with additional side trim.”
Sold at $425.
The 1970s van craze blitzed a bunch of these grilles for custom pieces. Road wear ruined
most of the others. Ironically, the 1961–67 and 1975-and-later Econolines have sources for
grilles, but the 1969–74 grille isn’t available yet. Looking at prices for new F-100 grilles from
the same era will give your wallet a jolt. Considering the size and number of pieces offered,
this looks more like a deal with every passing second. The vintage pickup market is doing
well, and new pieces are becoming available every month. With that in mind, this was well
sold and fairly bought.
numbers-matching Mopar big block all original.”
Sold at $1,199.
A look at the 1971 Mopar Chassis Parts catalog reveals this radiator was used on the models
listed in the ad for 1970. The 1969 and 1971 radiators had different numbers. The cooling fins
are decent, but unless you’re going for patina, the radiator should be recored. In my opinion,
the buyer paid for the tanks, core stamping and date code. Reproductions are about the same
price and you can get them date-stamped. A fair deal for an original high-demand part. A
#322708478195 1970 Mopar radiator original
2998956 440 Six Pack 426 Hemi, B- and E-body.
Item condition: Used. 8 photos. eBay. Upper Marlboro,
MD. 9/11/2017.
“1970 Mopar radiator 2998956 factory original that
came on B- and E-body big-block 426 Hemi, 440 six
pack, 440 and 383 with option N51 MAX COOL and
B-bodies with option A13 Superbird. Radiator tanks
are in good condition and will show well. Great for
unmolested condition to make your fully restored,

Page 127

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January–February 2018 129

Page 128

JUNKYARDTREASURES
Friesen Salvage:
Not Your Average Parts Yard
Trucks are popular in Liberal, KS, such as this 1960 Chevrolet Viking 60 stake bed with its hard-to-find hood intact
Frank Friesen has a story for each of the cars in his yard,
and if you’ve got the time, he’ll share them all
Story and photos by Phil Skinner
metal that has been salvaged, and if that metal is in the form of an
automobile part, he is ready to sell. Cash is preferred, and he likes to
deal face-to-face. He calls himself the “Dean of Old School.”
Friesen does do things the old-school way. It is best to call ahead
F
and see if he has the parts you are interested in. Frank doesn’t mind
telling it like it is. He says there is a story for each of the vehicles in his
yard, and if you bring a 12-pack of cold ones with you, he will tell you
as many as you would like to hear. A
Detailing
What: Friesen Salvage
Where: Rt. 2 Salvage
Road, Liberal, KS 67901
Hours: Monday to Friday
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
and on Saturdays by
appointment
Phone: 316-624-2388
Kansas is the Sunflower State, and they have
pretty much surrounded this solid and
complete 1949 plymouth sedan
130 AmericanCarCollector.com
Jeep Wagoneers are still popular today, and
this example is available in complete condition
for restoration or parts-donor duties
or a little over 45 years, Frank Friesen has run a salvage yard
in Liberal, KS. It is loaded with lots of old metal, most of it on
automobiles. And while he has made a decent living buying
and selling scrap, he does not consider his operation to be
a parts yard for old vehicles. If someone wants to buy some
This 1966 Ford Thunderbird Town Landau hard top has
plenty of good parts for the restorer who needs them

RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218,
or email advert@americancarcollector.com
Auction Companies
Auctions America. 877-906-2437.
Auctions America specializes in
the sale of American Classics,
European sports cars, Detroit
muscle, hot rods, customs and
automobilia. Headquartered at the
historic Auburn Auction Park in
Indiana, Auctions America boasts
an expert team of full-time specialists
who offer 190 years’ combined
experience, making them uniquely
qualified to advise on all aspects
of the hobby.
www.auctionsamerica.com. (IN)
Barrett-Jackson Auction. 480421-6694.
480-421-6697. For over
four decades, the Barrett-Jackson
Auction Company has been
recognized throughout the world
for offering only the finest selection
of quality collector vehicles, outstanding
professional service and
an unrivaled sales success. From
classic and one-of-a-kind cars to
exotics and muscle cars, BarrettJackson
attracts only the best. Our
auctions have captured the true
essence of a passionate obsession
with cars that extends to collectors
and enthusiasts throughout
the world. A television audience
of millions watches unique and
select vehicles while attendees
enjoy a lifestyle experience featuring
fine art, fashion and gourmet
cuisine. In every way, the legend
is unsurpassed. N. Scottsdale Rd,
Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
info@barrett-jackson.com.
www.barrett-jackson.com. (AZ)
Bonhams is the largest auction
house to hold scheduled sales
of classic and vintage motorcars,
motorcycles and car memorabilia,
with auctions held globally in
conjunction with internationally
renowned motoring events.
Bonhams holds the world-record
price for any motorcar sold at auction,
as well as for many premier
marques.
San Francisco: 415-391-4000
New York: 212-644-9001
Los Angeles: 323-850-7500
London: +44 20 7447-7447
Paris: +33 1 42 61 10 10
www.bonhams.com/motors
134 AmericanCarCollector.com
Douglas County Fairgrounds,
Roseburg, OR; September—
Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem,
OR. On the I-5 corridor. We offer
knowledgeable, fast, friendly “hassle-free”
transactions. Oregon’s #1
Collector Car Auction. www.petersencollectorcars.com
(OR)
Leake Auctions. 800-722-9942.
Leake Auction Company was
established in 1972 as one of the
first car auctions in the country.
More than 40 years later, Leake
has sold over 34,000 cars and
currently operates auctions in
Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Dallas.
Recently they have been featured
on several episodes of three
different reality TV series — “Fast
N Loud” on Discovery, “Dallas Car
Sharks” on Velocity and “The Car
Chasers” on CNBC Prime.
www.leakecar.com. (OK)
RM Sotheby’s, Inc. 800-2114371.
RM Sotheby’s is the world’s
largest collector car auction house
for investment-quality automobiles.
With 35 years’ experience, RM
Sotheby’s vertically integrated
range of services, from restoration
to private-treaty sales and
auctions, coupled with an expert
team of car specialists and an
international footprint, provide an
unsurpassed level of service to the
global collector car market.
www.RMSothebys.com. (CAN)
houses, specializing in the
procurement and sale of the
world’s finest automobiles
and vintage watercraft. www.
worldwide-auctioneers.com. (IN)
Buy/Sell/General
California Car Cover Company.
800-423-5525. More than just
custom-fit car covers, California
Car Cover is the home of complete
car care and automotive lifestyle
products. Offering the best in car
accessories, garage items, detailing
products, nostalgic collectibles,
apparel and more! Call 1-800-4235525
or visit Calcarcover.com for a
free catalog.
Lucky Collector Car Auctions.
888-672-0020. Lucky Collector
Car Auctions is aptly named after
Harold “Lucky” Lemay. Based in
the majestic, pastoral ground of
Marymount, home to the Lemay
Family Collection Foundation
near Tacoma, WA, the collection,
formerly the biggest in the world
according to Guinness, now hosts
an unrivaled event center, art collection
and charitable foundation,
which features two exceptional
collector car auctions a year.
www.luckyoldcar.com (WA)
Palm Springs Auctions Inc.
Keith McCormick. 760-320-3290.
Family owned and operated for
28 years. Producing two large
classic car auctions per year in
Palm Springs, CA. Each auction
features over 500 cars. Held in
November and February every
year. www.classic-carauction.com
Russo and Steele Collector
Automobiles. 602-252-2697.
Specializing in the finest American
muscle, hot rods and custom
automobiles and European sports;
Russo and Steele hosts three
record-breaking auctions per year;
Newport Beach in June; Monterey,
CA, every August; and Scottsdale,
AZ, every January. As one of
the premier auction events in the
United States, Russo and Steele
has developed a reputation for its
superior customer service and for
having the most experienced and
informed experts in the industry.
Fax: 602.252.6260. 5230 South
39th St., Phoenix, AZ 85040.
info@russoandsteele.com,
www.russoandsteele.com. (AZ)
Silver Auctions. 800-255-4485.
2020 N. Monroe, Spokane, WA
99205. silver@silverauctions.com.
www.silverauctions.com. (WA)
Petersen Auction Group of
Oregon. 541-689-6824. Hosting
car auctions in Oregon since 1962.
We have three annual Auctions:
February—Oregon State
Fairgrounds, Salem, OR; July—
Worldwide Auctioneers. 866273-6394.
Established by John
Kruse and Rod C. Egan, The
Worldwide Group—Auctioneers,
Appraisers and Brokers—is one
of the world’s premier auction
Ideal Classic Cars.
855-324-0394. Our goal as a company
is to showcase the highest
investment-quality, restored classic
cars to the world; while offering
these vehicles at a fair market
price. Our attention to detail is
Classic Car Dashes.
Sales@ClassicCarDashes.com.
Specializing in reproduction and
replacement dash pads for many
of your favorite cars, trucks and
SUVs. Each pad is manufactured
as close as possible to original
specs. All dash pads offer quality
in both fit and appearance and are
manufactured in the U.S.
www.ClassicCarDashes.com (PA)
Classic Fit Covers.
sales@ClassicFitCovers.com.
Welcome to Classic Fit Covers.
We specialize in custom fit car
covers and seat protectors for
classic and modern vehicles. At
Classic Fit Covers you get quality
materials, superior craftsmanship
and fast delivery...all at a great
price. We have you covered!
www.ClassicFitCovers.com (PA)

Page 133

unsurpassed. If you are looking for
a true investment car that will go
up in value...contact us. We have
a full sales and service department.
We also provide shipping
worldwide. We are in business
simply because of our love and
passion for classic cars, trucks
and motorcycles. Let us share that
with you. www.idealclassiccars.
net (FL)
tered a concours event, need a
relocation, are attending a corporate
event or shipping the car of
your dreams from one location to
another, one American transportation
company does it all.
www.reliablecarriers.com
Mustang America. 844-249-5135.
Mustang America is a new company
initially specializing in first
generation (1965–1973) Mustang
parts, interiors and accessories.
Launched by Corvette America,
Mustang America provides the
same level of world-class customer
service, product quality and
fast delivery. We look forward to
serving the vintage Mustang enthusiast.
www.MustangAmerica.com (PA)
Park Place LTD. 425-562-1000.
Founded in 1987 in Bellevue, WA,
our dealership is locally owned and
independently operated. The fouracre
Park Place Center features
an Aston Martin sales and service
center, a Lotus dealership, and we
have one of the largest selections
of collector & exotic cars available
in the Northwest. We consign, buy
and sell all types of vehicles. We
also have an in-house service center
and high-end Auto Salon.
www.ParkPlaceLtd.com (WA)
Classic Car Transport
Direct Connect Auto Transport.
800-668-3227. “The driver was
friendly and helped our son feel
comfortable about moving his
lowered ’59 Volkswagen Beetle
classic auto. The driver communicated
well during pick up and
delivery. It was fast, too. We spent
two days in Phoenix after the car
was picked up and it beat us back
to the East Coast.”
5-Star Reviews
Let Us Earn Yours
directconnectautotransport.com
Intercity Lines Inc. 800-221-3936.
Gripping the wheel of your dream
car and starting the engine for the
first time is a high point for any
enthusiast. We are the premier
enclosed auto transport company
that will ensure your car arrives
safely for that experience. For over
35 years our standards for excellence
have clients returning time
and time again. Trust the Best.
Trust Intercity Lines.
www.Intercitylines.com.
Thomas C. Sunday Inc. 800541-6601.
Established in 1970,
Thomas C. Sunday Inc. provides
clients with fully enclosed, crosscountry,
door-to-door service.
Thomas C. Sunday Inc. are
well-seasoned experts in the field
of automobile transportation, hiring
only Grade-A drivers, and offering
clients the best possible service at
competitive pricing. Fully licensed,
insured and bonded. Call 1-800541-6601
or 717-697-0939, Fax
717-697-0727, email:
McCollister’s Auto Transport.
800-748-3160.
We have transported thousands of
collector vehicles over the past 35
years all across the United States,
whether they are moving an
exotic, street rod, vintage racer or
muscle car. With our experienced
drivers trained to ensure the finest
protection and our customized,
lift-gated, air-ride trailers, we make
sure your vehicle safely arrives
on time. www.McCollisters.com/
AutoTransport
info@sundayautotransport.com
Collection Management
Passport Transport. 800-7360575.
Since our founding in 1970,
we have shipped thousands of
treasured vehicles door-to-door
with our fully enclosed auto transporters.
Whether your prized possession
is your daily driver, a
vintage race car, a classic, a ’60s
muscle car or a modern exotic,
you can depend on Passport
Transport to give you the premium
service it deserves. We share your
appreciation for fine automobiles,
and it shows.
www.PassportTransport.com.
RideCache – Organize, Manage,
Preserve your Collection. Your
documentation represents 5% or
more of your vehicle’s value — yet
it is fading away in folders and
binders susceptible to loss or
damage. Let our professionals
take those binders and turn them
into organized, protected, transferable
digital resources — all for
less than the cost of a high-end
detailing service. Learn more at
ridecache.com/ACC.
Corvette Parts &
Restoration
Mid America Motorworks.
800-500-1500. America’s leader
in 1953–2016 Corvette parts
and accessories. Request a free
catalog at www.mamotorworks.
com. (IL)
Reliable Carriers Inc. 877-7447889.
As the country’s largest
enclosed-auto transport company,
Reliable Carriers faithfully serves
all 48 contiguous United States
and Canada. Whether you’ve en-
Paragon Corvette
Reproductions. 800-882-4688. At
Paragon, you’ll receive the finest
quality of 1953–96 Corvette parts
and experience in the industry.
Our catalogs and website are filled
with hundreds of helpful schemat-
Zip Products. 800-962-9632. Zip
customers know that the voice on
the other end of the phone is a
true enthusiast. Someone who, in
minutes, can hold in their hands
any item in stock. Further, someone
with knowledge of, experience
with, and genuine affection for, the
car we hold so dear: Corvette.
www.zip-corvette.com (VA)
Corvettes for Sale
The Chevy Store. At The Chevy
Store, you will find only the
highest-grade, investment-quality
Corvette and specialty Chevrolet
automobiles. We take pride in
providing our clients with the finest
selection anywhere. Offering
investment-quality Corvettes and
Chevrolets for over 30 years! 503256-5384
(p), 503-256-4767 (f)
www.thechevystore.com (OR)
ics, photos and tech-tips. Our
Vintage Department has a treasure
chest of NOS and used parts.
Look up our Stick With Us
Discount Program and our firstonline-order
savings. Call us or
visit www.paragoncorvette.com
to order today. (MI)
Volunteer Vette Products. 865521-9100.
1963–2004 Corvette
Parts and Accessories. Supplying
Corvette restoration parts and
accessories for 30 years. Visit our
website at
www.volvette.com and take advantage
of the Free Shipping offer
on orders over $150. You can also
speak with us directly by calling
865-521-9100. New parts are
added daily, so if you can’t find it,
give us a call. (TN)
FOLLOW
ACC
January–February 2018 135

Page 134

RESOURCE DIRECTORY
Put your company in the ACC Resource Directory. Call 877.219.2605 Ext. 218,
or email advert@americancarcollector.com
Events—Concours,
Car Shows
Insurance
money. For leases ranging from
$50,000 to more than $1 million,
with terms extending up to 84
months, visit www.putnamleasing.
com or call 1-866-90-LEASE. (CT)
Museums
Concours d’Elegance of
America. 2018 marks the 40th
Annual Concours d’Elegance of
America, July 27th–29th, at the
Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth,
Michigan. We continue to be one
of the most recognized automotive
events in the world. A weekend
filled with over 15 events for
automobile enthusiasts of all ages.
Sunday’s field will host 300 spectacular
automobiles from around
the world. www.concoursusa.org
(MI)
American Collectors Insurance.
1-866-887-8354. The nation’s
leading provider of specialty insurance
for collectors. We offer affordable,
agreed-value coverage
for all years, makes, and models
of collector vehicles. Since 1976,
we have provided superior service
and broad, flexible coverage.
Experience our quick quoting and
application process, as well as our
“Real Person” Guarantee every
time you call. Email: Info@
AmericanCollectors.com
www.AmericanCollectors.com (NJ)
Chubb Collector Car Insurance.
1-866-CAR-9648. The Chubb
Collector Car Insurance program
provides flexibility by allowing you
to choose the agreed value and
restoration shop. Broad coverage
includes no mileage restrictions
and special pricing for large
schedules. For more information,
contact us at 1-866-CAR-9648 or
www.chubbcollectorcar.com.
The Quail, A Motorsports
Gathering. 831-620-8879.
A prominent component of
Monterey Car Week, The Quail
is a world-renowned motorsports
event featuring one of the world’s
finest and rarest collections of
vintage automobiles and motorcycles.
The Quail maintains its
intimacy and exclusivity by limiting
admission through lottery ticket
allocations. Admission is inclusive
of six gourmet culinary pavilions,
caviar, oysters, fine wines,
specialty cocktails, champagne,
and more. Web: signatureevents.
peninsula.com. (CA)
J.C. Taylor Insurance. 800-3458290.
Antique, classic, muscle or
modified — J.C. Taylor Insurance
has provided dependable, dynamic,
affordable protection for
your collector vehicle for over 50
years. Agreed Value Coverage in
the continental U.S., and Alaska.
Drive Through Time With Peace of
Mind with J.C. Taylor Insurance.
Get a FREE instant quote online at
www.JCTaylor.com. (PA)
Leasing-Finance
J.J. BEST BANC & CO. provides
financing on classic cars ranging
from 1900 to today. Visit our website
at www.jjbest.com or call
1-800-USA-1965 and get a loan
approval in as little as five minutes!
Grundy Insurance. 888-6478639.
James A. Grundy invented
Agreed Value Insurance in 1947;
no one knows more about insuring
collector cars than Grundy! With
no mileage limitations, zero deductible*,
low rates, and high liability
limits, our coverages are
specifically designed for collector
car owners. Grundy can also insure
your daily drivers, pickup
trucks, trailers, motorhomes and
more — all on one policy and all at
their Agreed Value.
www.grundy.com (PA)
pionsandheroes.com (CA)
136 AmericanCarCollector.com
Riverside Military Academy
Champions and Heroes.
404-237-2633. June 1–3, 2018
A 3-day hijinx competitive rally,
1-mile driver time trial and
juried Contest of Elegance for
Champions and Heroes (race
cars through 1974) from the
Carmel Concours on the Avenue
producer. info@rmachampionsandheroes.com,
www.rmacham-
Hagerty Collector Car
Insurance. 800-922-4050.
Collector cars aren’t like their latemodel
counterparts. These classics
actually appreciate in value,
so standard market policies that
cost significantly more won’t do
the job. We’ll agree on a fair value
and cover you for the full amount.
No prorated claims, no hassles, no
games. www.hagerty.com (MI)
Premier Financial Services. 877973-7700.
Since 1997, renowned
customer service and honest leasing
practices have made Premier
the nation’s leading lessor of luxury
and performance motorcars.
We are small enough to ensure
your business gets the attention it
deserves, and large enough to
finance any new, used, or vintage
car over $50,000. Contact Premier
at 877-973-7700 or info@pfsllc.
com. www.premierfinancialservices.com
(CT)
LeMay Family Collection
Foundation. LeMay Family
Collection Foundation at
Marymount Events Center near
Tacoma, WA, hosts an epic backdrop
for your next event. Home to
500 fabulous collector cars, worldclass
art exhibits, and assorted
ephemera, consider your next
event here. Weddings, swapmeets,
conventions, auctions. The
facility can likely exceed your expectations.
Visit during the 37th
annual open house along with
13,000 other enthusiasts. 253272-2336
www.lemaymarymount.org. (WA)
National Corvette Museum. 80053-VETTE.
The National Corvette
Museum in Bowling Green, KY,
was established as a 501(c)3 notfor-profit
foundation with a mission
of celebrating the invention of the
Corvette and preserving its past,
present and future. www.corvettemuseum.com.
(KY)
Parts—General
Putnam Leasing. 866-90-LEASE.
For over 25 years, Putnam
Leasing has been the leader in
exotic, luxury, and collector car
leasing. This honor comes from
Putnam’s unique ability to match
the car of your dreams with a
lease designed just for you. Every
Putnam Lease is written to provide
maximum flexibility while conserving
capital, lowering monthly
payments, and maximizing tax
advantages. It’s Putnam’s way of
letting you drive more car for less
Custom Autosound
Manufacturing. 800-888-8637.
Since 1977 providing audio solutions
for classic car and trucks.
Covering over 400 application our
radios and speakers fit the original
location without modification. Keep
the classic look of your vehicle
while enjoying state-of-the-art
audio. Check out all of our products
at www.customautosound.
com. Or if you’d like a free catalog,
call 800-888-8637 (CA)
Evans Waterless Coolant is the
solution to running too hot. With a
boiling point of 375°F, our revolutionary
liquid formulation is a superior
alternative to water-based
coolants. Evans eliminates water

Surfing Around
Carl Bomstead
Automobilia at Auction
Carl’s thought: Julien’s Auctions, at their November 3, 2017, “Icons & Idols — Rock ’n
sale, sold a teal-blue Cloud guitar from Prince’s estate for $700,000. It was one of 31 Cloud g
tars that Andy Beech made for Prince, who died in April 2016 from an apparent drug overd
He played the guitar in the late ’80s into the ’90s. It was estimated to sell for $60,000–$80
so the seller was certainly pleased.
Here are a few more items I found that had nothing to do with Prince:
MECUM ELKHORN AUCTION—
LOT F-42. MUSGO GASOLINE
48-INCH PORCELAIN SIGN. Estimate:
$60,000–$80,000. SOLD AT
$21,000. Date sold: 9/20/2017. There
were a number of these colorful
signs that had been used as sewer
covers, and as such, one side was
trashed. One of these signs, in excellent
condition, sold for over $250k a year or so ago and since then
they have been coming out of the woodwork. As more surface, the
prices have been on a sharp descent, as noted here. Still, a wonderful
sign.
EBAY #162605051730—
JOHN DEERE FARM
IMPLEMENTS PORCELAIN
SIGN. Number
of bids: 54. SOLD AT
$4,309. Date sold:
10/26/2017. There are
at least four versions of this sign, with the one with the green background
being the least common. The three-legged variety, sold
here, is more difficult to find than the four-legged one and usually
commands a premium, but the price paid here was a bit of a bargain
considering the condition and rarity.
EBAY #112609841940—CORVETTE
RACING MOBIL 1 COMMEMORATIVE
AWARD. Number of bids:
92. SOLD AT $12,100. Date sold:
9/1/2017. The C7R #4 Corvette swept
the 2016 IMSA GTLM championship,
and Mobil made 12 trophies from the
oil that had been removed from the
Corvette after each race for testing.
This was the eighth of 12 produced
and they were presented to key
members of the team. This one was
presented to the Corvette Museum to
be used for fundraising. Pricey, but for
a good cause.
EBAY #292229556725—
DALLAS, TEXAS, PRESTATE
LICENSE PLATE.
Number of bids: 22. SOLD
AT $1,807.22. Date sold:
9/3/2017. From 1907 until
1916, Texas vehicle registration was left to the counties, and they
138 AmericanCarCollector.com
issued the num
a plate to displa
numbers and a metal frame. It was produced by Strafford Auto
Illuminating Company and was in exceptional condition, thus the
aggressive price.
EBAY #182852496140—
1916 MICHELIN TIRE CO.
“BIBENDUM” MASCOT.
Number of bids: 14. SOLD
AT $1,780. Date sold:
11/3/2017. This is one of a
number of mascots featuring
Bibendum, and several had
him smoking a big cigar. The
logo is still in use, although
he has cleaned up his act
and slimmed down a bit.
This is a desirable mascot, and one sold a few years back for about
twice what we see here. Someone got a screaming deal.
EBAY #332372485931—
1958 TIN PLYMOUTH
BELVEDERE. Number
of bids: 32. SOLD AT
$2,600. Date sold:
9/17/2017. This highly
detailed Plymouth Belvedere
was over 21 inches
in length and was in exceptional condition. The doors and hood
opened and the front wheels turned. The interior was constructed
with several fabrics, and the dash was tinplate. It was stated the
engine needed a rebuild, which was an understatement as it was
a bag of pieces and parts. There was no manufacturer noted, so it
may not have been made in Japan. No doubt whoever made it was
certainly talented.
EBAY #253187770365—
1947 INDIANAPOLIS 500
PIT PASS PIN. Number of
bids: 5. SOLD AT $431.89.
Date sold: 10/15/2017. This
was the first year for this
pin design, and it featured
the #2 Novi that won the
1946 race driven by Ralph
Hepburn. Price seemed
about right until I looked a bit deeper and found that another sold a
week or so later for $188 after five bids. Every now and then it pays
to be patient! A